Tenofovir/emtricitabine combo lowered HBV recurrence in liver transplant patients

Stravitz TR. Liver International. 2012; 10.111/j. 1478-3231.2012.02770.x.

  • March 7, 2012

Tenofovir/emtricitabine combination therapy led to lower recurrence rates of hepatitis B virus in a population of orthotropic liver transplant recipients, according to researchers from the Hume-Lee Transplant Center at Virginia Commonwealth University.

The researchers set out to compare tenofovir/emtricitabine combination therapy with hepatitis B immune globulin with or without nucleos(t) analogue inhibitors for the prevention of recurrent HBV in 21 patients who recently underwent a liver transplant.

Eligible patients were switched from immune globulin therapy to the combination therapy and were followed for 31.1 months for evidence of HBV recurrence. No participant data indicated recurrence while on immune globulin for more than 6 months before study enrollment.

After 12 months of follow-up, 14% of patients, including one non-compliant patient, had detectable levels of hepatitis B antigen. This was cleared up by final follow-up while on the study drug.

In addition, combination therapy saved $12,469 per year vs. standard treatment, without any indications of adverse renal effects. Three patients developed acute, reversible renal failure, the researchers noted.

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