Tyzeka (telbivudine) / Novartis - LARVOL DELTA

Different nucleos(t)ide analogs in resected hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review. (PubMed, Front Pharmacol) - "Compared with the control group, antiviral therapies using telbivudine (HR [95% CrI] = 0.23 [0.12,0.44]), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (HR [95% CrI] = 0.40 [0.30,0.52]), lamivudine (HR [95% CrI] = 0.50 [0.34, 0.75]), adefovir (HR [95% CrI] = 0.55 [0.38,0.79]), and entecavir (HR [95% CrI] = 0.55 [0.43,0.71]) significantly improved OS...When compared to other nucleos(t)ide analogs, telbivudine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate exhibited the most notable effects. Identifier CRD42024612794."

Journal • Review • Hepatitis B • Hepatocellular Cancer • Infectious Disease • Oncology • Solid Tumor

An Old Problem With a Re-purposed Solution: Novel Application of Emtricitabine-Tenofovir to Treat Persistent HBV Viremia (ACG 2025) - "Importantly, HBV DNA levels were consistently elevated with other NUC therapies across all cases, then became undetectable shortly after initiation of either FTC-TDF or FTC-TAF. Abbreviations: EMR (electronic medical records); ETV (Entecavir); FTC-TAF (Emtricitabine-Tenofovir Alafenamide); FTC-TDF (Emtricitabine-Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate); IU/mL (international units per milliliter); LDT (Telbivudine); LMV (Lamivudine); NUC (Nucleos(t)ide Analogues).​"

Fibrosis • Hepatitis B • Hepatitis C • Hepatocellular Cancer • Hepatology • Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Immunology • Infectious Disease • Liver Cirrhosis • Solid Tumor

Investigation of hepatitis B virus mutations associated with immune escape and drug resistance in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients. (PubMed, F1000Res) - "Mutations causing resistance to lamivudine and telbivudine were M204V, L180M, V163I, and S202K; with S202K also causing resistance to entecavir and adefovir resistance mutation were I253Y, I223V and M250I...Although there is no statistical significance amongst the mutations associated with drug resistance and vaccine escape. These mutations could have clinical implications that could have therapeutic repercussions by influencing the correct clinical diagnosis and treatment in HBV/ HIV co-infected individuals."

Journal • Hepatitis B • Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease • Inflammation • Liver Cancer • Oncology • Solid Tumor

QuEChERS and UPLC-MS/MS-Based Quantification of Human Plasma of Eight Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors and Platinum Anticancer Drugs for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. (PubMed, Molecules) - "The target analytes-lamivudine, telbivudine, emtricitabine, entecavir, tenofovir, nedaplatin, oxaliplatin, and adefovir dipivoxil-exhibited strong linearity within the 10-1000 ng/mL and 1-100 ng/mL ranges, showing correlations (r2) ≥ 0.9962. Overall, this analytical approach can be used to detect the combination of eight NRTIs and platinum-based drugs in human plasma. This method enables plasma drug-level monitoring in real time, with applications for individualized treatment approaches."

Journal • Hepatocellular Cancer • Oncology • Solid Tumor

Treatment duration, adherence and persistence in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection treated with long-term nucleos(t)ide analogues in Germany (EASL 2025) - "Adult patients who initiated single-drug formulation second-generation NA treatment (entecavir, telbivudine, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, and tenofovir alafenamide) between January 1, 2015–August 31, 2022, and had a recorded diagnosis for chronic HBV infection in the year prior to their initial NA prescription, were selected. Treatment discontinuation remains a key challenge in the management of chronic HBV infection. This study highlights the unmet need for additional support to help patients persist with NA treatment. These results also underscore the critical need for alternative therapies for chronic HBV infection with shorter and finite treatment durations with a reduced need for rigid monitoring to mitigate the high discontinuation rate while ensuring optimal clinical outcomes."

Adherence • Clinical • Hepatitis B • Hepatitis C • Hepatology • Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease • Inflammation

A polytherapy approach demonstrates therapeutic efficacy for the treatment of SOD1 associated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. (PubMed, EBioMedicine) - "These findings support CET polytherapy as an advantageous alternative compared to CuATSM monotherapy and highlight the potential of utilising small molecules targeting SOD1 as a polytherapy avenue for the treatment of SOD1-associated ALS."

Journal • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis • CNS Disorders • SOD1

Use of Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter-2 Inhibitors and Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B, Type 2 Diabetes, and Varying Fibrosis Status (APASL 2025) - "Patients with T2D and CHB who received SGLT-2i (empagliflozin, dapagliflozin, canagliflozin or ertugliflozin) or sulfonylureas between 2015 and 2021 were enrolled from Hong Kong and all patients were followed from the first prescription of study medication till 2022. In this population-based cohort study, use of SGLT-2i, compared with sulfonylureas, decreased the risk of HCC among individuals with T2D and CHB especially in more severe liver fibrosis, suggesting a potential chemopreventive role of SGLT-2i in patients with both chronic diseases. Table and Figure:Figure 1.Table. Association between SGLT-2i use and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic hepatitis B. *adjusted for demographic data (age and sex), lifestyle factors (alcohol, smoking, and body mass index), comorbidities (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, heart failure, coronary heart disease, stroke, atrial fibrillation, and chronic kidney disease), HBV medications..."

Clinical • Atrial Fibrillation • Cardiovascular • Chronic Kidney Disease • Congestive Heart Failure • Coronary Artery Disease • Diabetes • Diabetic Nephropathy • Dyslipidemia • Fibrosis • Heart Failure • Hepatitis B • Hepatitis C • Hepatocellular Cancer • Hepatology • Hypertension • Immunology • Infectious Disease • Liver Cirrhosis • Metabolic Disorders • Nephrology • Oncology • Renal Disease • Solid Tumor • Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Study on the efficacy and long-term safety of preventing mother-to-child transmission in HBV-infected pregnant women at different gestational periods (APASL 2025) - "Each group received standard doses of nucleoside analogs (NAs), either telbivudine (LdT) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), until delivery. Antiviral therapy with either LdT or TDF can effectively halt the transmission of HBV from mother to child during 24-28 weeks of pregnancy, early pregnancy, and the whole duration of pregnancy. Importantly, no substantial negative effects were detected on the long-term growth or cognitive development of the children. The sample size needs to be expanded for further research in the future."

Clinical • Hepatitis B • Hepatology • Inflammation • IGF1 • IGFBP3

Viral kinetics after nucleos(t)ide analogues withdrawal in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients and HBV stable cells reveal the delayed rebound pattern of hepatitis B virus RNA (APASL 2025) - " A total of 32 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)–positive patients from a prospective study who stopped telbivudine-based therapy after achieving HBeAg seroconversion with HBV DNA < 50 IU/mL for at least 48 weeks were included... The rebound of serum HBV RNA occurred slower and lower than that of serum HBV DNA after NA treatment cessation. In HepAD38 cells after drug withdrawal, the rebound amplitude of extracellular HBV RNA was lower than that of extracellular HBV DNA. These outcomes indicate that HBV RNA may reduce secretion to ensure the formation and secretion of HBV DNA at the initial stage after NAs withdrawal."

Clinical • Hepatitis B • Hepatitis C • Hepatology • Infectious Disease • Inflammation

The long term follow-up of the efficacy and safety of nucleoside analogues in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus with high viral load (APASL 2025) - "Background: To evaluate the long term efficacy and safety of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) or telbivudine (LDT) in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HBV in the third trimester. The long term follow-up results showed that TDF and LDT are equally effective and safety in reducing mother-to-child transmission of HBV. Immunization enhancement strategies should be adopted in 3 year old infants."

Clinical • Hepatitis B • Hepatology • Infectious Disease • Inflammation

Effect of Combination Antiviral Therapy on Fatality Rate of Adults with Hepatitis B-Related Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure: a Systematic Review (APASL 2025) - "Both studies compared tenofovir 300 mg-telbivudine 600 mg o.d. combination to tenofovir monotherapy 300 mg o.d. The cohort study showed different 12-week fatality rate in tenofovir-telbivudine combination group and tenofovir monotherapy group (16.7% and 20%, respectively)... Two primary studies suggested lower rate of 12-week fatality in adults with hepatitis B-related ACLF receiving combination antiviral therapy, compared with control group. Sample size and other research methods remain the main concerns. The use of other hepatitis B antiviral combination is subject to future investigation."

Clinical • Review • Hepatitis B • Hepatology • Infectious Disease • Inflammation • Liver Failure

Real-world clinical data-driven modelling on the initiation time of antiviral prophylaxis among pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B infection. (PubMed, J Hepatol) - "Pregnant women with HBV DNA levels >5.3 to 8.0 log10 IU/mL can initiate prophylaxis before 28 gestational weeks. However, women with HBV DNA >8.0 log10 IU/mL could consider initiating prophylaxis before 25 weeks."

Clinical data • Journal • Real-world • Real-world evidence • Hepatitis B • Hepatology • Infectious Disease • Inflammation

Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation in Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. (PubMed, Semin Oncol) - "With antiviral prophylaxis, reactivation rates were 1% (95%CI: 0%-17%, I2 = 59%), 1% (95%CI: 0%-5%, I2 = 0%), 4% (95%CI: 2%-9%, I2 = 85%), and 6% (95%CI: 3%-12%, I2 = 32%) for patients receiving tenofovir, entecavir, lamivudine, and telbivudine, respectively. Patients with a diagnosis of cancer undergoing chemotherapy face increased risk of HBV reactivation. This analysis raises public awareness and serves as a resource for future clinical trials."

Journal • Retrospective data • Review • Hematological Disorders • Hematological Malignancies • Hepatitis B • Hepatology • Infectious Disease • Oncology • Solid Tumor

Drug-associated congenital anomalies of the external ear identified in the United States food and drug administration adverse event reporting system database. (PubMed, Sci Rep) - "Valproic acid (122 cases) was associated with the most cases, followed by mycophenolate mofetil (105 cases) and lamotrigine (65 cases). According to the disproportionality analysis, the top five drugs with the highest ROR and PRR were primidone (ROR: 397.05, 95% CI 147.21, 1070.9; PRR: 388.71, 95% CI 145.89, 1035.7), valproic acid (ROR: 239.46, 95% CI 123.75, 463.37; PRR: 236.42, 95% CI 123.82, 451.43), tapazole (ROR: 198.35, 95% CI 63.49, 619.67; PRR: 196.25, 95% CI 62.97, 611.67), nevirapine (ROR: 138.24, 95% CI 82.9, 230.51; PRR: 137.23, 95% CI 82.44, 228.44), and sebivo (ROR: 117.1, 95% CI 48.51, 282.67; PRR: 116.37, 95% CI 48.17, 281.12)...The findings can help healthcare professionals better recognize and manage drug-induced congenital anomalies of the external ear, particularly when prescribing high-risk medications. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these associations and develop strategies for preventing and mitigating..."

Adverse events • Journal

Risk of hepatitis B virus reactivation in cancer patients undergoing treatment with tyrosine kinase-inhibitors. (PubMed, World J Gastroenterol) - "Nucleoside or nucleotide analogs (NAs) like entecavir (ETV), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) form the basis of HBV reactivation prophylaxis and treatment during immunosuppression. Conversely, lamivudine, telbivudine, and adefovir are generally discouraged due to their reduced antiviral efficacy and higher risk of fostering drug-resistant viral strains. However, these less effective NAs may still be utilized in cases where ETV, TDF, and TAF are not feasible treatment options."

Journal • Gastroenterology • Hepatitis B • Hepatology • Infectious Disease • Inflammation • Liver Failure • Oncology

HEPATITIS B VIRUS REACTIVATION IN CANCER PATIENTS RECEIVING CHEMOTHERAPY – A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS (DDW 2024) - "Among the 31 studies the pooled HBV reactivation rates for patients who received prophylactic Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF) were 1% (95% CI: 0%-17% I =59%). Meanwhile the pooled reactivation rates for entecavir (ETV) lamivudine (LAM) and Telbivudine(LdT) were 1% (95% CI: 0%-5% I =0%) 4% (95% CI: %-9% I =85%) and 6% (95%CI: 3%-1 % I =3 %) respectively...In addition the pooled reactivation rate among patients receiving rituximab-containing regimens was higher than that of patients receiving chemotherapy without rituximab i. e. 9% (95% CI: 6%-14% I =84%) and 5% (95% CI: 3%-9% I =93%) respectively...However it is also crucial to consider the serological markers of the hepatitis B virus before undergoing chemotherapy. This analysis serves as a valuable resource for future clinical trials"

Retrospective data • Review • Hepatitis B • Hepatology • Infectious Disease • Oncology

DFT/TDDFT calculations of geometry optimization, electronic structure and spectral properties of clevudine and telbivudine for treatment of chronic hepatitis B. (PubMed, Sci Rep) - "Calculations for this study were carried out using the Gaussian 09 program package coupled with the DFT/TDDFT technique. The hybrid B3LYP functional method and the 6-311++G(d, p) basis set were used for the calculations."

Journal • Hepatitis B • Hepatology • Infectious Disease • Inflammation

Creatine kinase elevation in chronic hepatitis B patients with telbivudine therapy: influence of telbivudine plasma concentration and single nucleotide polymorphisms of TK2, RRM2B, and NME4. (PubMed, Eur J Clin Pharmacol) - "Chronic hepatitis B patients with TC and CC genotype in rs3826160 have high telbivudine plasma concentration are at risk of elevated creatine kinase."

Journal • Hepatitis B • Hepatology • Infectious Disease • Inflammation • NME4 • RRM2B

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of TAF, TDF, and LdT to prevent the transmission of hepatitis B in pregnant women: A retrospective study. (PubMed, Immun Inflamm Dis) - "The application of TDF, TAF, or LdT to immune-tolerant HBV-infected pregnant women in middle-late pregnancy can successfully interrupt MTCT of the HBV virus. However, for all three groups of pregnant women who delivered babies with abnormal prenatal ultrasound screening, an expanded sample size may be needed for further observation."

Journal • Retrospective data • Hepatitis B • Hepatology • Infectious Disease • Inflammation

Telbivudine-induced rhabdomyolysis in a patient undergoing haemodialysis: A case report and review of literature. (PubMed, J Int Med Res) - "While his CK and myoglobin levels decreased rapidly, his muscle weakness and pain improved slowly. Learning points include: patients undergoing haemodialysis and concomitantly receiving antiviral treatment for HBV, should have their serum levels of CK and myoglobin monitored regularly; treatment with corticosteroids maybe required; relief from rhabdomyolysis-induced muscle weakness and pain may be slow due to nerve fibre damage."

Journal • Review • Hepatitis B • Hepatology • Infectious Disease • Inflammation • Pain • MB

Impact of lamivudine treatment in late pregnancy on the development of the foetal immune response to hepatitis B virus: a meta-analysis in R with the metafor package. (PubMed, Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg) - "Lamivudine treatment in late pregnancy boosted the foetal immune response to HBV in utero and enhanced the neonatal immune response to hepatitis B vaccine after birth."

Journal • Retrospective data • Hepatitis B • Hepatology • Infectious Disease • Inflammation

The molecular feature of abnormal fetal neuromuscular development after maternal use of telbivudine or tenofovir during pregnancy in rodent model. (PubMed, Life Sci) - "Our findings suggest maternal administration of LdT or TDF lead to abnormal neuromuscular development in offspring mice. Further study should be encouraged to investigate the down-stream signaling pathways."

Journal • Preclinical • Fibrosis • Immunology

A polytherapy approach demonstrates therapeutic efficacy in familial SOD1 ALS models (ALS-MND 2023) - "We have identified two additional FDA-approved small molecules, ebselen and telbivudine that may aid in reducing the accumulation of mutant misfolded SOD1. CuATSM treatment was shown to dose dependently improve the survival of cultured NSC-34 cells expressing SOD1G93A-GFP compared to the vehicle control (p < 0.05). Furthermore, multiple different ratios of the CET treatment) were found to significantly improve survival compared to the highest concentration of CuATSM alone tested (0.5 mM) (p < 0.05), despite using less than half the concentration of CuATSM. In addition, CET treatment significantly reduced the percentage of cells containing inclusions compared to the highest concentration of CuATSM alone."

Clinical • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis • CNS Disorders • Hematological Disorders • SOD1

IL-21 collaborates with anti-TIGIT to restore NK cell function in chronic HBV infection. (PubMed, J Med Virol) - "Furthermore, these alterations cannot be restored by telbivudine treatment but can be partially restored by IL-21 and anti-TIGIT stimulation...It enhanced IFN-γ production in splenic NK cells rather than intrahepatic NK cells, indicating a brand-new mechanism of IL-21 in HBV clearance when combined with anti-TIGIT. Overall, our findings contribute to the design of immunotherapy through enhancing the antiviral efficacy of NK cells in chronic HBV infection."

IO biomarker • Journal • Hepatitis B • Hepatology • Infectious Disease • Inflammation • Oncology • CD69 • GZMA • IFNG • IL21 • NCAM1 • NKG2D • PRF1 • TIGIT • TNFA

TRENDS IN MEDICAID SPENDING ON NUCLEOSIDE/NUCLEOTIDE ANALOGUES FOR HEPATITIS B: 2012-2010 (AASLD 2023) - " The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Part D database was accessed from 2012-2020 to identify NA used to treat HBV including lamivudine, adefovir, telbivudine, entecavir, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and tenofovir alafenamide... There is a significant cost to Medicare for NA monotherapy therapy for HBV, but this economic burden is decreasing despite an increased number of patients treated, likely due to increased access to generic formulations. Understanding how medications are being utilized as well as the impact of generic medications is important for future planning for drug coverage to address and important cause of liver disease in the US."

Medicaid • Reimbursement • US reimbursement • Hepatitis B • Hepatology • Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease • Inflammation