Lamivudine and Adefovir to Treat Chronic Hepatitis B Infection in People With and Without HIV Infection

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Age greater than or equal to 18 years

Infection with HBV with HBV viral load greater than 1.0 x 10 (6) copies/mL by Roche assay at screen

HIV infected or uninfected

If HIV infected: CD4 greater than or equal to 100 and VL less than or equal to 10,000 at screen; No antiretroviral changes 12 weeks prior to entry and no anticipated changes 12 weeks into study.

Have a physician(s) outside of NIH who will provide routine, as well as HIV (if applicable) and liver specific, care.

Able to return to NIH for study visits

Receiving lamivudine at a dose of at least 100 mg qd for greater than or equal to one year prior to enrollment (with no dosing interruptions of greater than 1 month total in the previous year and no interruption in the 3 months prior to study entry)

Serum creatinine less than 1.5 mg/dL

1.2 less than or equal to ALT (SGPT) less than or equal to 7 X ULN (current NIH lab values 49-287 U/L inclusive) at screen

Direct bilirubin less than or equal to 1.0 mg/dL

Serum phosphorus greater than or equal to 2.2 mg/dL (normal range NIH 2.3-4.3 mg/dL)

Neutrophil count greater than or equal to 750 cells/mm(3)

Platelets greater than or equal to 70,000/mm(3)

INR less than or equal to 1.5

Hemoglobin greater than or equal to 10 mg/dL

If capable of pregnancy: use of effective contraception during study: effective contraception methods include abstinence, surgical sterilization of either partner, barrier methods such as diaphragm, condom, cap or sponge, or use of hormonal contraception. If HIV infected using hormonal contraception, must be receiving an anti-HIV regimen that will not alter the metabolism of hormonal contraception.

Willing and able to provide written informed consent

Willing to undergo hepatic biopsy at the start and end of study. The initial protocol biopsy will not be required if the subject can provide pathologic slides from a biopsy performed within six months of the History and Physical visit that are found by the Liver Disease Section and the NIH's pathologist to be adequate for this study.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Prior use of ADV, tenofovir, or cidofovir

Decompensated cirrhosis:

Child-Pugh Class B or C cirrhosis;

Class A Score = 5 acceptable; Class A Score = 6 acceptable as long as not secondary to encephalopathy or ascites

Active serious systemic infections other than HIV or HBV

Liver disease caused by reasons other than hepatitis B e.g., HCV, HDV, Wilson's, hemochromatosis, autoimmune hepatitis (ANA greater than or equal to 3 EU) except history of drug-associated hepatitis with discontinuation of causative agent

History of encephalopathy, varices, heart failure, or ascites

Current history of clinical pancreatitis

New AIDS-defining event other than esophageal candidiasis diagnosed within 1 month prior to baseline

Treatment with immunomodulator drugs (interleukins, corticosteriods for indications other than the treatment of adrenal insufficiency) in the 4 weeks prior to baseline. G-CSF and epoetin use are permitted.

Anti-HBV therapy other than lamivudine (such as emtricitabine, lobucavir, entecavir, HBIG, clevudine, MCC-478) with the exception of interferon alpha, famciclovir or foscarnet that ended more than 12 weeks prior to screen.

Hepatic mass suggestive of hepatocellular carcinoma

Alpha fetoprotein greater than 200 ng/ml

Evidence of gastrointestinal malabsorption or chronic nausea or vomiting

Current alcohol or substance abuse that potentially could interfere with patient compliance

Malignancy other than cutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma, skin cancer treated by resection or HPV-associated carcinoma in situ or Bowen's disease in the 5 years prior to enrollment

History of clinically significant renal dysfunction within the previous 12 months prior to baseline

Concomitant therapy with aminoglycosides, amphotericin B, cisplatinum, IV pentamidine, vancomycin, systemic chemotherapeutic agents, probenecid or other nephrotoxic agents

Proteinuria (greater than or equal to 3+)

Positive PCR test for hepatitis C

Antibodies to hepatitis D (delta hepatitis)

Pregnancy or breast-feeding. Pregnancy test must be negative within two weeks prior to dosing with adefovir or placebo.

History of organ or bone marrow transplantation

Any systemic illness that will make it unlikely that the subject will be able to return to NIH for the required study visits