Abstract Telbivudine is a potent inhibitor of HBV but, due to a low genetic barrier to resistance, a high incidence of resistance has been observed in patients with high baseline levels of replication and in those with detectable HBV DNA after 24 weeks of therapy (A1). Telbivudine might be used in patients with good predictors of response (HBV DNA \<2 X 106 IU/ ml, i.e. approximately 107 copies/ ml, or 6.3 log 10 IU/ ml at baseline) with verification of HBV DNA suppression below detection in real time PCR assay at 24 weeks.(EASL Guidelines for HBV 2009) The therapy of Pegylated-interferon-alpha-2a is considered as the standard of care for patients with chronic hepatitis b viral infection. However, recent study by Buster et al showed that a sustained viral response (SVR less than 2000 iu.ml at 6 months after treatment)) is obtained in 8 % of patients with genotype D, 30% genotype A, and 20-25% genotypes B or C (47). Vitamin D is a potent immune-modulator; and has been shown to improve SVR in combination with peg interferone in patients with chronic HCV viral infection (48). The impact of vitamin D on virologic response rates of interferon-based treatment of CHB is unknown. The aim of this study therefore was to assess whether Vitamin D, added to the conventional peg therapy in CHB, or to nucleotide analogues could improve the treatment efficacy
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
120
180 mcg/week + 400 IUX2/day
180 mcg/week
Telbivudine 600 mg daily
entecavir 1 mg daily+ vitamin d
Liver clinic
Safed, Israel
RECRUITINGZiv medical center liver unit
Safed, Israel, Israel
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGtreatment efficacy
The primary end point will be sustained viral response which was defined as clearance of HBeAg from serum and HBV DNA less than 10,000 copies/mL (2000 IU/mL) at 6 months after treatment. HBsAg titre during treatment and at 6 months follow up will be measured also (ROCH or Abott Kit).
Time frame: 120 weeks
histologic response
Another primary endpoint will be histologic response (reduction of at least two points without fibrosis worsening in the total score on the Histological Activity Index).
Time frame: 120 WEEKS
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