AEGiS-ATDN: New HBV Treatment Access AIDS Treatment Data NetworkImportant note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Click here to return to Associated Press main menu

New HBV Treatment Access

Informaiton Bulletin #15 - May 2002

Early Access Program for adefovir - Gilead Sciences opened an Expanded Access program to provide the anti-HBV drug adefovir dipivoxil at no charge to people with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV). You must be 16 years or older with chronic Epivir-HBV resistant HBV and at risk for disease progression. You must have received at least 24 weeks prior treatment with lamivudine, and have adequate hematological and renal function at screening.

Patients enrolled in the Early Access Program will receive adefovir via their physician. For more information regarding the Adefovir Dipivoxil Chronic Hepatitis B Early Access Program or to request registration materials, physicians may call 1-800-GILEAD-5 or 1-650-574-3000. Studies have shown that 8-15 percent of people who are HIV positive are co-infected with HBV. About 24% of people develop Epivir-HBV -resistant HBV after one year of treatment, 47% after 2 years and 67% after four years.

One ongoing study of adefovir in patients with lamivudine-resistant HBV showed that, after 24 weeks, 12% of 35 HIV/HBV co-infected patients were able to get rid of their HBV. Improvements in liver function were seen across the board, and no adefovir-related HBV or HIV mutations (through week 48) and no laboratory or clinical evidence of kidney damage were observed. In another 48-week study with 29 patients, HBV viral load dropped significantly. 2 patients were able to get rid of their HBV after 36 weeks of treatment. No adefovir HBV or HIV resistance mutations were observed.


020510
TR020502

Copyright © 2002 - AIDS Treatment Data Network. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the AIDS Treatment Data Network. Email: .

AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, iMetrikus, Inc., John M. Lloyd Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2002. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2002. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .