To Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Tenofovir Alafenamide Conversion in Liver Transplant Patients

Overview

This clinical trial aims to confirm the efficacy and safety of Vemlia® tablets (Tenofovir alafenamide) in liver transplant patients with hepatitis B, focusing on their effects on renal function. HBV reactivation post-liver transplantation can result in a post-transplant mortality rate of up to 50% within two years, making prophylaxis critical. Currently, a combination therapy of HBIG and nucleotide analogues is commonly used. Among the nucleotide analogues (NA), entecavir (ETV) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) are frequently used as first-line therapies. However, both ETV and TDF have nephrotoxicity, requiring caution in patients with chronic kidney disease. Specifically, 18% of liver transplant patients develop chronic kidney disease due to immunosuppressant use, making the appropriate use of antiviral drugs to preserve renal function crucial. TAF has been reported through RCTs to be more effective than TDF in preserving renal function and bone density, while showing similar antiviral effects. However, these studies have been conducted exclusively on general chronic liver disease patients. Although multicenter studies have been reported for liver transplant patients, they were retrospective and involved a limited number of patients. Therefore, the primary objective of this study is to assess the impact of converting to TAF on renal function preservation in liver transplant patients taking antivirals for HBV prophylaxis. The secondary objectives are to evaluate the antiviral effect on HBV, the impact on lipid profiles, and the effectiveness in preserving bone density.

TAF has been reported through RCTs to be more effective than TDF in preserving renal function and bone density, while showing similar antiviral effects. However, these studies have been conducted exclusively on general chronic liver disease patients. Although multicenter studies have been reported for liver transplant patients, they were retrospective and involved a limited number of patients. Therefore, the primary objective of this study is to assess the impact of converting to TAF on renal function preservation in liver transplant patients taking antivirals for HBV prophylaxis. The secondary objectives are to evaluate the antiviral effect on HBV, the impact on lipid profiles, and the effectiveness in preserving bone density.