Baseline characteristics and early on-treatment response predict the outcomes of 2 years of telbivudine treatment of chronic hepatitis B

Background/Aims: In the G LOBE trial, telbivudine treatment is-as identified as a significant, independent predictor of better outcomes at 2 years. We analyzed all telbivudine recipients in this trial to determine the predictors of optimal outcomes. Methods: The intent-to-treat population comprised 458 HBeAg-positive and 222 HBeAg-negative telbivudine-treated patients. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to evaluate baseline and/or early on-treatment variables. Results: Baseline HBV DNA < 9 log(10) copies/mL, or ALT levels >= 2 x above normal were strong pretreatment predictors for HBeAg-positive, but not for HBeAg-negative patients. However, non-detectable serum HBV DNA at treatment week 24 (TW24) was the strongest predictor for better outcomes for both groups. A combination of pretreatment characteristics plus TW24 response identified subgroups with the best outcomes: (1) HBeAg-positive patients with baseline HBV DNA < 9log(10) copies/mL, ALT >= 2 x above normal and non-detectable HBV DNA at TW24 achieved at 2 years: non-detectable HBV DNA in 89%, HBeAg seroconversion in 52%, telbivudine resistance in 1.8%; and (2) HBeAg-negative patients with baseline HBV DNA < 7log(10) copies/mL and non-detectable serum HBV DNA at TW24 achieved at 2 years: non-detectable HBV DNA in 91%., telbivudine resistance in 23%. Conclusion: During telbivudine treatment, non-detectable serum HBV DNA at treatment week 24 is the strongest predictor for optimal outcomes at 2 years. (C) 2009 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.