Substituted drug for HBV infection

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate is a highly effective first-line treatment for chronic HBV infection. However, the long-term use of this antiviral agent may arouse kidney and bone toxicity. Tenofovir alafenamide, an oral phosphonamidate prodrug of tenofovir, has greater stability in plasma and less adverse effects on bone and renal health. The study “Switching from tenofovir disoproxil fumarate to tenofovir alafenamide in virologically suppressed patients with chronic hepatitis B: a randomised, double-blind, phase 3, multicentre non-inferiority study” evaluated the efficacy and safety of tenofovir alafenamide in patients with HBV infection switching from tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Results showed that the switch of treatment was safe and effective, along with the improvement of renal and bone abnormalities caused by tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. (Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020 Feb 20. pii: S2468-1253(19)30421-2. doi: 10.1016/S2468-1253(19)30421-2. [Epub ahead of print])

Anyone interested in future collaboration in this field of research is welcome to contact our key investigator Prof Henry CHAN in the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, CUHK. Prof Chan’s research focuses on viral hepatitis, liver fibrosis, liver cancer, anti-viral therapy and fatty liver disease.