Telbivudine and adefovir combination therapy for patients with chronic lamivudine-resistant hepatitis B virus infections

We evaluated second-line salvage therapy with adefovir + telbivudine (group 1), adefovir followed by adefovir + telbivudine (group 2), or lamivudine + adefovir followed by adefovir + telbivudine (group 3) in hepatitis B patients with an inadequate virologic response to lamivudine treatment. Simple linear regression analysis showed that for each additional month of treatment, the most significant reduction in viral load occurred in group 1 (HBV DNA [Log(10) IU/mL]: group 1, −0.149; group 2, -0.081; group 3, −0.123). Generalized estimating equation analysis revealed that compared to group 1, hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels were 1.203 and 0.443 Log(10) IU/mL higher in groups 2 and 3, respectively. Overall, a significant reduction in viral load (−0.060 Log(10) IU/mL) was observed for each additional month of treatment. Adefovir + telbivudine treatment resulted in a significant reduction in HBV DNA levels. Moreover, telbivudine treatment resulted in a significant reduction in viral load (−0.050 Log(10) IU/mL) compared to lamivudine treatment after the emergence of lamivudine resistance. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00705-013-1786-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.