Resistance to Adefovir Dipivoxil (Hepsera) Can Be Associated with Significant Virologic Breakthough and Fatal Hepatic Decompensation
Adefovir dipivoxil/ ADV (Hepsera) resistance occurs less frequently and later in the course of treatment compared to lamivudine/LAM (Epivir-HBV). Susceptibility of ADV-resistant hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutants is only reduced by 3-10 fold, suggesting that virologic breakthrough (BT) and clinical deterioration are unlikely.
However, there are very little data regarding the clinical course and response to salvage therapy in ADV-resistant patients. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical course of hepatitis B patients found to have ADV-resistant mutations.
Surveillance for ADV-resistant mutation was performed on patients receiving ADV, who had a suboptimal response (<2 log decrease in HBV DNA or HBV DNA >4 log after 1 year of treatment), and in those with virologic BT (>1 log increase in HBV DNA after initial suppression).
HBV DNA was quantified using a PCR assay.
ADV-resistant mutation was detected using a line probe assay and confirmed by direct sequencing of the HBV polymerase gene.
Results
?span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> Seven male patients, mean age 49?/span>13 years, were found to have ADV resistance between 9/03 and 9/04.
?span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> All patients had prior treatment with LAM for 27?/span>14 months and BT infection or genotypic resistance to LAM was confirmed in 6 patients.
?span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> At the start of ADV, median ALT was 75 IU/L (range, 27-1161); mean HBV DNA was 7?/span>1 log copies/ml;
?span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> 4 patients were HBeAg+ve; and 2 had liver transplants.
?span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> Six patients were switched to ADV with <1 month overlap with LAM; 1 patient continued to receive LAM.
?span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> During treatment, 6 patients had a suboptimal virologic response.
?span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> At the time of ADV resistance, which occurred at a mean of 19 ?/span> 8 months after treatment initiation, median ALT was 51 IU/L (range, 6-906) and HBV DNA increased to over 6 log copies/ml in 6 patients.
?span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> After detection of ADV resistance, hepatic decompensation occurred in 2 patients, 1 of whom died.
?span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> Salvage therapy with LAM, entecavir or tenofovir was given to 6 patients; 3 of 5 patients with > 6 months of follow-up had > 3 log reduction in HBV DNA.
Conclusions
The authors conclude, 揜esistance to ADV is not rare and may be associated with substantial increases in HBV DNA level and fatal hepatic decompensation.?/span>
揝urveillance for ADV resistance and institution of salvage therapy should be considered in immunosuppressed or cirrhotic patients.?/span>
Lab Values at the Time of ADV Resistance
PatientTime to Res. (mos)MutationHBV DNA
(log copies/ml)ALT?(IU/L)118rtA181T4.4 45?2*17rtA181V9.8 161319rtA181V8.151413rtA181V5.66514rtA181V8.4906619rtN236T6.897736rtN236T5.232
* Patient died
S Fung and others. Resistance To Adefovir (ADV) Can Be Associated With Significant Virologic Breakthough (BT) and Fatal Hepatic Decompensation. Abstract M921. Digestive Disease Week 2005. May 14-19, 2005. Chicago, IL. |