Authors' objectives:

To summarize available information on the use of adefovir dipivoxil(Hepsera(TM) from Gilead Sciences, Inc.) to treat adults who show evidence of active hepatitis B viral replication and either persistent elevations in serum aminotransferases or histologically active disease.

Authors' recommendations: There are no long-term trials comparing adefovir with current therapies from which to make a decision regarding its use. Short-term comparative trials describing surrogate endpoint responses and treatment-emergent morbidity in treatment-naive patients are also lacking. The evidence on surrogate endpoint responses in patients with documented lamivudine resistance is noteworthy. A lack of detected viral resistance is also worth mention, although this resistance may become inevitable. Differences in treatment-emergent morbidity between lamivudine and adefovir recipients have not been described, but would help define the role of adefovir. In particular, its potential nephrotoxicity during treatment and hepatotoxicity upon cessation of treatment need to be weighed against any therapeutic advantages.

Authors' methods: Overview

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: https://www.ccohta.ca/

Year Published: 2003

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment

Contact Address: 600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553, Fax: +1 613 226 5392;

Contact Name: requests@cadth.ca

Contact Email: requests@cadth.ca

Copyright: Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment (CCOHTA)