Five-year on-treatment efficacy of lamivudine-, tenofovir- and tenofovir plus emtricitabine-based HAART in HBV-HIV-coinfected patients

Data on the efficacy of lamivudine (LAM)-, tenofovir (TDF)- and emtricitabine (FTC)-based antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in HBVHIV coinfection are limited. We completed a retrospective analysis of HBVHIV-coinfected patients treated at the Medical University of Vienna. One-hundred and ten coinfected patients were included, with 57% being initially HBV e-Antigen (HBeAg) positive. Baseline HBV load was significantly higher in HBeAg+ than in HBeAg- patients (5962 +/- 3663 vs 20 +/- 19 x 106 IU/mL; P < 0.0001). Over a median observation period of 83 month (range: 26183), 87% received HAART and 91% showed a suppression of HBV replication. After 5 years of continuous treatment, HBeAg seroconversion was achieved in 21% of LAM-, 50% of TDF- (P = 0.042 vs LAM) and in 57% of TDF + FTC (P = 0.008 vs LAM)-treated patients, respectively. HBsAg loss after 5 years was found in 8% (LAM), 25% (TDF; P = 0.085 vs LAM) and 29% (TDF + FTC; P = 0.037 vs LAM) of HBeAg+ patients. In HBeAg- patients, HBsAg loss was achieved in 11% (LAM), 27% (TDF; P = 0.263 vs LAM) and 36% (TDF + FTC; P = 0.05 vs LAM), respectively. Pretreatment CD4+ counts did not influence rates of HBeAg seroconversion and of HBsAg loss. Patients with HBsAg loss had lower baseline HBV-DNA levels and higher AST/ALT levels than patients without HBsAg loss. Transient HAART-related hepatotoxicity was found in 32% (Grade I: 21%; II:7%; III:2%; IV:0%). Most HBVHIV-coinfected patients achieve complete suppression of HBV replication despite high baseline viremia. TDF-based HAART leads to high rates of HBeAg seroconversion and HBsAg loss after 5 years of continuous exposure. One-third of HBVHIV-coinfected patients may experience transient HAART-related hepatotoxicity.