Long-Term Outcomes in Chinese Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Receiving Nucleoside/Nucleotide Analogue Therapy in Real-World Clinical Practice: 5-Year Results from the EVOLVE Study

Background In China, the optimal management of individuals living with chronic HBV infection (CHB) remains an unmet need. The EVOLVE Study was a 5-year prospective, longitudinal, observational study that compared the clinical outcomes in treatment-naive CHB patients receiving entecavir (ETV) or lamivudine (LAM)-based therapies. Methods Males or females aged ≥18 years, diagnosed with CHB regardless of cirrhosis or hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) status were enrolled from tier 2 city hospitals (between 2012–2014). The choice of initial therapy and subsequent treatment modifications was at the discretion of treating physicians. Key outcomes included treatment modifications, virological response (HBV DNA <300 copies/ml) and HBV disease progression. Results Of the 3,408 patients enrolled, 1,807 and 628 received ETV and LAM-based therapy, respectively. The mean age was 39.5 years, 74% were male and 22.9% had cirrhosis. The rate of treatment modification was higher in the LAM-based versus ETV group (25.9% versus 13.7%); viral breakthrough was the most common reason in the LAM-based group versus financial reasons in the ETV group. At week 240, the virological response rate was 73% in both treatment groups. Compared with LAM-based therapy, ETV was associated with a significantly lower incidence of viral breakthrough (12.6% versus 2.1%) and genotypic resistance (10.1% versus 1.2%; P<0.0001 for both); significantly lower risk of HBV disease progression (14.0% versus 10.7%; P=0.0113); and lower rates of progression to decompensated cirrhosis (9.6% versus 6.4%) and hepatocellular carcinoma (1.9% versus 0.8%). Conclusions This real-world, longitudinal study demonstrated a significantly lower risk of HBV-related disease progression, viral breakthrough and resistance with ETV versus LAM-based therapy. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01726439.