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Byung Chul Yoo - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • A randomized, open-label study comparing low-dose Clevudine plus adefovir combination therapy with Clevudine monotherapy in naïve chronic hepatitis B patients
    Hepatology International, 2014
    Co-Authors: Won Young Tak, Byung Ik Kim, Jin Mo Yang, Soon Koo Baik, Gab Jin Cheon, Kwan Soo Byun, Do Young Kim, Byung Chul Yoo
    Abstract:

    Purpose Clevudine 30 mg showed potent antiviral activity with a marked post-treatment antiviral effect. However, long-term treatment with Clevudine monotherapy induced resistance and myopathy in some cases. The objective of this study is to evaluate the preliminary efficacy and safety of the combination of Clevudine 20 mg and adefovir compared to Clevudine monotherapy. Methods Seventy-four patients were randomized to either a combination of Clevudine 20 mg and adefovir or Clevudine 20 or 30 mg and were treated for 2 years. The viral kinetics for 24 weeks, virological response [VR; hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA less than 300 copies/ml], and the biochemical response [BR; normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT)] were assessed. Results There was no difference in baseline characteristics among the three groups. Viral kinetics study showed no statistically significant difference among them during 24 weeks. The combination group showed 95 % virological response with a statistically significant difference compared to the Clevudine 30 mg (67 %) and 20 mg (71 %) groups ( p  = 0.0376). Biochemical response rates were similar in all groups (78–94 %). No resistance was reported in the combination group, while 20 % of patients treated with Clevudine 30 mg or 20 mg reported resistance during 2 years. Muscle-related symptoms such as myalgia (1 in Clevudine 30 mg, 1 in the combination group) and muscle weakness (1 in Clevudine 30 mg, 2 in Clevudine 20 mg) were reported in five patients (7 %); of these, three patients discontinued the study. Conclusion We concluded that the combination of Clevudine 20 mg and adefovir produced a potent antiviral response together with a good resistance profile compared to Clevudine monotherapy at 96 weeks in this pilot study.

  • A randomized, open-label study comparing low-dose Clevudine plus adefovir combination therapy with Clevudine monotherapy in naïve chronic hepatitis B patients
    Hepatology International, 2014
    Co-Authors: Won Young Tak, Byung Ik Kim, Jin Mo Yang, Soon Koo Baik, Gab Jin Cheon, Kwan Soo Byun, Young Kim, Byung Chul Yoo
    Abstract:

    Purpose Clevudine 30 mg showed potent antiviral activity with a marked post-treatment antiviral effect. However, long-term treatment with Clevudine monotherapy induced resistance and myopathy in some cases. The objective of this study is to evaluate the preliminary efficacy and safety of the combination of Clevudine 20 mg and adefovir compared to Clevudine monotherapy.

  • A comparison of Clevudine and entecavir for treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis B: results after 2 years of treatment
    Hepatology International, 2012
    Co-Authors: Geum-youn Gwak, Seung Woon Paik, Su Rin Shin, Moon Seok Choi, Joon Hyoek Lee, Kwang Cheol Koh, Byung Chul Yoo
    Abstract:

    Background This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy, safety, and resistance profile of Clevudine (CLV) and entecavir (ETV) following a 2-year treatment period.

  • A comparison of 48-week treatment efficacy between Clevudine and entecavir in treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis B
    Hepatology International, 2011
    Co-Authors: Su Rin Shin, Byung Chul Yoo, Moon Seok Choi, Dong Ho Lee, Soon Mi Song, Joon Hyoek Lee, Kwang Cheol Koh, Seung Woon Paik
    Abstract:

    Purpose Clevudine and entecavir are currently available in Korea as antiviral drugs against chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We aimed to compare the efficacy of Clevudine and entecavir therapy. Methods Treatment-naïve CHB patients who received 30 mg of Clevudine or 0.5 mg of entecavir a day were analyzed. Mean reduction of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels, complete virological response (cVR, undetectable HBV DNA by real-time PCR), biochemical response (recovery to normal ALT level), and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion rate at the 48th week of treatment were assessed. Results A number of 59 patients in Clevudine group and 61 patients in entecavir group were included. Mean HBV DNA reductions from baseline were similar in the Clevudine and entecavir groups, −6.4 versus −6.8 log_10 copies/mL in HBeAg-positive ( p  = 0.417) and −6.9 versus −7.0 log_10 copies/mL in HBeAg-negative patients ( p  = 0.640). The proportion of patients who achieved cVR was not different between the two groups, 53 versus 55% in HBeAg-positive ( p  = 1.000) and 100 versus 95% in HBeAg-negative patients ( p  = 0.452). Biochemical response rates and HBeAg seroconversion rates were also similar in both the groups. Two (3.4%) patients in Clevudine group showed virologic breakthrough with rtM204I mutation using direct sequencing analysis. Clinical myopathy occurred in two (3.4%) patients in Clevudine group. Conclusion Mean reduction of viral loads was similar between Clevudine and entecavir groups during 48 weeks. However, virologic breakthrough and significant myopathy were noted only in Clevudine-treated patients. Therefore, more attention should be paid to patients receiving Clevudine.

  • Clevudine induced viral response associated with continued reduction of hbsag titer was durable after the withdrawal of therapy
    Journal of Gastroenterology, 2011
    Co-Authors: Hyo-suk Lee, Byung Chul Yoo, Ju Hyun Kim, Kwan Sik Lee, Soo Hyung Ryu, Joon-yeol Han, Kwon Yoo, Young Soo Kim, Young Suk Lee, Jae Seok Hwang
    Abstract:

    This study was conducted to evaluate the durability of Clevudine-induced viral response after the withdrawal of treatment. Patients who showed a complete response [alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA <4,700 copies/mL for hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg)-negative patients; ALT normalization, HBV DNA <4,700 copies/mL, and HBeAg seroconversion for HBeAg-positive patients] in the previous Clevudine phase III trials were followed for an additional 96 weeks without any treatment for hepatitis B. Of the 63 patients in the study cohort, 73% and 35% of the patients had HBV DNA <141,500 and <4,700 copies/mL, respectively, and 75% of the patients had normal ALT at the end of follow-up. HBeAg seroconversion was maintained in 81% of the patients and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss occurred in 3 patients. Continued HBsAg titer decrease (−0.5 log IU/mL) was observed in the sustained viral responders, suggesting the reduction of covalently closed circular DNA in hepatocytes. The Clevudine-induced viral response was durable in the majority of patients for 2 years after the withdrawal of treatment.

Jae Seok Hwang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Clevudine induced viral response associated with continued reduction of hbsag titer was durable after the withdrawal of therapy
    Journal of Gastroenterology, 2011
    Co-Authors: Hyo-suk Lee, Byung Chul Yoo, Ju Hyun Kim, Kwan Sik Lee, Soo Hyung Ryu, Joon-yeol Han, Kwon Yoo, Young Soo Kim, Young Suk Lee, Jae Seok Hwang
    Abstract:

    This study was conducted to evaluate the durability of Clevudine-induced viral response after the withdrawal of treatment. Patients who showed a complete response [alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA <4,700 copies/mL for hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg)-negative patients; ALT normalization, HBV DNA <4,700 copies/mL, and HBeAg seroconversion for HBeAg-positive patients] in the previous Clevudine phase III trials were followed for an additional 96 weeks without any treatment for hepatitis B. Of the 63 patients in the study cohort, 73% and 35% of the patients had HBV DNA <141,500 and <4,700 copies/mL, respectively, and 75% of the patients had normal ALT at the end of follow-up. HBeAg seroconversion was maintained in 81% of the patients and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss occurred in 3 patients. Continued HBsAg titer decrease (−0.5 log IU/mL) was observed in the sustained viral responders, suggesting the reduction of covalently closed circular DNA in hepatocytes. The Clevudine-induced viral response was durable in the majority of patients for 2 years after the withdrawal of treatment.

  • Clevudine-induced viral response, associated with continued reduction of HBsAg titer, was durable after the withdrawal of therapy
    Journal of Gastroenterology, 2011
    Co-Authors: Hyo-suk Lee, Byung Chul Yoo, Ju Hyun Kim, Kwan Sik Lee, Soo Hyung Ryu, Joon-yeol Han, Kwon Yoo, Young Soo Kim, Young Suk Lee, Jae Seok Hwang
    Abstract:

    Background This study was conducted to evaluate the durability of Clevudine-induced viral response after the withdrawal of treatment. Methods Patients who showed a complete response [alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA

  • Long-term Clevudine therapy in nucleos(t)ide-naïve and lamivudine-experienced patients with hepatitis B virus-related chronic liver diseases
    The Korean Journal of Hepatology, 2009
    Co-Authors: Heon Ju Lee, Chang Hyeong Lee, Jong Ryul Eun, Jae Seok Hwang, Jeong Ill Suh, Byung Seok Kim, Byoung Kuk Jang
    Abstract:

    Backgrounds/Aims: Clevudine is an effective antiviral nucleoside analogue, but there are few data regarding its long-term effects, resistance, and safety. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical efficacy of Clevudine over a 1-year treatment period in nucleos(t)ide-naive and lamivudine-experienced chronic hepatitis B patients. Methods: Nucleos(t)ide-naive (group A, n=196) and lamivudine-experienced (serum hepatitis B virus, HBV DNA >2,000 copies/mL without resistant mutants at the start of Clevudine therapy, group B, n=75) patients were included in this study. Basic clinical characteristics including age, sex, the presence of cirrhosis, laboratory data, and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBeAg) positivity were similar between the two groups. Pretreatment serum levels of HBV DNA were 7.4 and 6.6 log10 copies/mL (P

  • long term Clevudine therapy in nucleos t ide naive and lamivudine experienced patients with hepatitis b virus related chronic liver diseases
    The Korean Journal of Hepatology, 2009
    Co-Authors: Heon Ju Lee, Chang Hyeong Lee, Jong Ryul Eun, Jae Seok Hwang, Jeong Ill Suh, Byung Seok Kim, Byoung Kuk Jang
    Abstract:

    Backgrounds/Aims: Clevudine is an effective antiviral nucleoside analogue, but there are few data regarding its long-term effects, resistance, and safety. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical efficacy of Clevudine over a 1-year treatment period in nucleos(t)ide-naive and lamivudine-experienced chronic hepatitis B patients. Methods: Nucleos(t)ide-naive (group A, n=196) and lamivudine-experienced (serum hepatitis B virus, HBV DNA >2,000 copies/mL without resistant mutants at the start of Clevudine therapy, group B, n=75) patients were included in this study. Basic clinical characteristics including age, sex, the presence of cirrhosis, laboratory data, and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBeAg) positivity were similar between the two groups. Pretreatment serum levels of HBV DNA were 7.4 and 6.6 log10 copies/mL (P<0.001). The mean treatment duration was 8 months for both groups (range for group A: 3-21 months; range for group B: 3-20 months). Genotypic analysis for resistant mutations in the reverse transcriptase of HBV was performed after viral breakthrough. Results: After 1 year of therapy, 75.0% and 51.9% of groups A and B, respectively, had HBV DNA levels of <2,000 copies/mL (P=0.032), and HBeAg seroconversion rates were 16.9% and 16.7%, respectively. The rates of viral breakthrough at 1 year were 10.0% (8/80) and 44.4% (12/27), respectively (P<0.001). Proven sites of mutation of HBV DNA polymerase in naive patients were, for example, L80I, L180M, A181V/T, M204I and V207I. Ten patients complained of prominent fatigue and revealed elevated serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK). Two of these patients presented with severe myopathy from which they recovered completely after quitting Clevudine. Conclusions: Clevudine is one of the recommended first-line medicines for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, but it is not free from resistance, particularly in patients with a history of previous lamivudine treatment, but also in naive patients. Clevudine should be avoided in previously lamivudine-exposed patients. In addition, reelevation of serum AST and CPK levels is not a rare occurrence, and close observation and follow-up tests are essential. (Korean J Hepatol 2009;15:179-192)

Joon-yeol Han - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Clevudine induced viral response associated with continued reduction of hbsag titer was durable after the withdrawal of therapy
    Journal of Gastroenterology, 2011
    Co-Authors: Hyo-suk Lee, Byung Chul Yoo, Ju Hyun Kim, Kwan Sik Lee, Soo Hyung Ryu, Joon-yeol Han, Kwon Yoo, Young Soo Kim, Young Suk Lee, Jae Seok Hwang
    Abstract:

    This study was conducted to evaluate the durability of Clevudine-induced viral response after the withdrawal of treatment. Patients who showed a complete response [alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA <4,700 copies/mL for hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg)-negative patients; ALT normalization, HBV DNA <4,700 copies/mL, and HBeAg seroconversion for HBeAg-positive patients] in the previous Clevudine phase III trials were followed for an additional 96 weeks without any treatment for hepatitis B. Of the 63 patients in the study cohort, 73% and 35% of the patients had HBV DNA <141,500 and <4,700 copies/mL, respectively, and 75% of the patients had normal ALT at the end of follow-up. HBeAg seroconversion was maintained in 81% of the patients and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss occurred in 3 patients. Continued HBsAg titer decrease (−0.5 log IU/mL) was observed in the sustained viral responders, suggesting the reduction of covalently closed circular DNA in hepatocytes. The Clevudine-induced viral response was durable in the majority of patients for 2 years after the withdrawal of treatment.

  • Clevudine-induced viral response, associated with continued reduction of HBsAg titer, was durable after the withdrawal of therapy
    Journal of Gastroenterology, 2011
    Co-Authors: Hyo-suk Lee, Byung Chul Yoo, Ju Hyun Kim, Kwan Sik Lee, Soo Hyung Ryu, Joon-yeol Han, Kwon Yoo, Young Soo Kim, Young Suk Lee, Jae Seok Hwang
    Abstract:

    Background This study was conducted to evaluate the durability of Clevudine-induced viral response after the withdrawal of treatment. Methods Patients who showed a complete response [alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA

  • Clevudine-induced viral response, associated with continued reduction of HBsAg titer, was durable after the withdrawal of therapy
    Journal of Gastroenterology, 2010
    Co-Authors: Hyo-suk Lee, Byung Chul Yoo, Ju Hyun Kim, Kwan Sik Lee, Soo Hyung Ryu, Kwon Yoo, Young Soo Kim, Young Suk Lee, Joon-yeol Han
    Abstract:

    This study was conducted to evaluate the durability of Clevudine-induced viral response after the withdrawal of treatment. Patients who showed a complete response [alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA

  • Clevudine is highly efficacious in hepatitis b e antigen negative chronic hepatitis b with durable off therapy viral suppression
    Hepatology, 2007
    Co-Authors: Byung Chul Yoo, Ju Hyun Kim, Kwan Sik Lee, Byung Hoon Han, Joon-yeol Han, Kwang Cheol Koh, Taehun Kim, Young Soo Kim, Chae Yoon Chon, Soo Hyung Ryu
    Abstract:

    Clevudine is a pyrimidine analog with potent and sustained antiviral activity against HBV. In the present study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of Clevudine 30 mg daily for 24 weeks and assessed the durability of antiviral response for 24 weeks after cessation of dosing in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B (e-CHB). We randomized a total of 86 patients (3:1) to receive Clevudine 30 mg (n = 63) or placebo (n = 23) daily for 24 weeks. We followed patients for an additional 24 weeks after withdrawal of treatment. The median changes in HBV DNA from baseline were −4.25 and −0.48 log10 copies/mL at week 24 in the Clevudine and placebo groups, respectively (P < 0.0001). Viral suppression in the Clevudine group was sustained after withdrawal of therapy, with 3.11 log10 reduction at week 48. At week 24 and week 48, 92.1% and 16.4% of patients in the Clevudine group had undetectable serum HBV DNA levels by Amplicor PCR assay (<300 copies/mL). The proportion of patients who achieved ALT normalization was 74.6% and 33.3% in the Clevudine and placebo groups at week 24, respectively (P = 0.0006). ALT normalization in the Clevudine group was well-maintained during the post-treatment follow-up period. The incidence of adverse events was similar in the 2 groups. No resistance to Clevudine was detected during treatment. Conclusion: A 24-week Clevudine therapy was well-tolerated and showed potent and sustained antiviral effect without evidence of viral resistance in e-CHB patients. However, treatment for longer than 24 weeks would be needed to achieve durable remission. (HEPATOLOGY 2007.)

  • Clevudine is highly efficacious in hepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B with durable off-therapy viral suppression
    Hepatology, 2007
    Co-Authors: Byung Chul Yoo, Ju Hyun Kim, Kwan Sik Lee, Byung Hoon Han, Kwang Cheol Koh, Taehun Kim, Young Soo Kim, Chae Yoon Chon, Joon-yeol Han
    Abstract:

    Clevudine is a pyrimidine analog with potent and sustained antiviral activity against HBV. In the present study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of Clevudine 30 mg daily for 24 weeks and assessed the durability of antiviral response for 24 weeks after cessation of dosing in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B (e-CHB). We randomized a total of 86 patients (3:1) to receive Clevudine 30 mg (n = 63) or placebo (n = 23) daily for 24 weeks. We followed patients for an additional 24 weeks after withdrawal of treatment. The median changes in HBV DNA from baseline were −4.25 and −0.48 log10 copies/mL at week 24 in the Clevudine and placebo groups, respectively (P < 0.0001). Viral suppression in the Clevudine group was sustained after withdrawal of therapy, with 3.11 log10 reduction at week 48. At week 24 and week 48, 92.1% and 16.4% of patients in the Clevudine group had undetectable serum HBV DNA levels by Amplicor PCR assay (

Hyo-suk Lee - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

Kwan Sik Lee - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Clevudine induced viral response associated with continued reduction of hbsag titer was durable after the withdrawal of therapy
    Journal of Gastroenterology, 2011
    Co-Authors: Hyo-suk Lee, Byung Chul Yoo, Ju Hyun Kim, Kwan Sik Lee, Soo Hyung Ryu, Joon-yeol Han, Kwon Yoo, Young Soo Kim, Young Suk Lee, Jae Seok Hwang
    Abstract:

    This study was conducted to evaluate the durability of Clevudine-induced viral response after the withdrawal of treatment. Patients who showed a complete response [alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA <4,700 copies/mL for hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg)-negative patients; ALT normalization, HBV DNA <4,700 copies/mL, and HBeAg seroconversion for HBeAg-positive patients] in the previous Clevudine phase III trials were followed for an additional 96 weeks without any treatment for hepatitis B. Of the 63 patients in the study cohort, 73% and 35% of the patients had HBV DNA <141,500 and <4,700 copies/mL, respectively, and 75% of the patients had normal ALT at the end of follow-up. HBeAg seroconversion was maintained in 81% of the patients and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss occurred in 3 patients. Continued HBsAg titer decrease (−0.5 log IU/mL) was observed in the sustained viral responders, suggesting the reduction of covalently closed circular DNA in hepatocytes. The Clevudine-induced viral response was durable in the majority of patients for 2 years after the withdrawal of treatment.

  • Clevudine-induced viral response, associated with continued reduction of HBsAg titer, was durable after the withdrawal of therapy
    Journal of Gastroenterology, 2011
    Co-Authors: Hyo-suk Lee, Byung Chul Yoo, Ju Hyun Kim, Kwan Sik Lee, Soo Hyung Ryu, Joon-yeol Han, Kwon Yoo, Young Soo Kim, Young Suk Lee, Jae Seok Hwang
    Abstract:

    Background This study was conducted to evaluate the durability of Clevudine-induced viral response after the withdrawal of treatment. Methods Patients who showed a complete response [alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA

  • Clevudine-induced viral response, associated with continued reduction of HBsAg titer, was durable after the withdrawal of therapy
    Journal of Gastroenterology, 2010
    Co-Authors: Hyo-suk Lee, Byung Chul Yoo, Ju Hyun Kim, Kwan Sik Lee, Soo Hyung Ryu, Kwon Yoo, Young Soo Kim, Young Suk Lee, Joon-yeol Han
    Abstract:

    This study was conducted to evaluate the durability of Clevudine-induced viral response after the withdrawal of treatment. Patients who showed a complete response [alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA

  • Clevudine is highly efficacious in hepatitis b e antigen negative chronic hepatitis b with durable off therapy viral suppression
    Hepatology, 2007
    Co-Authors: Byung Chul Yoo, Ju Hyun Kim, Kwan Sik Lee, Byung Hoon Han, Joon-yeol Han, Kwang Cheol Koh, Taehun Kim, Young Soo Kim, Chae Yoon Chon, Soo Hyung Ryu
    Abstract:

    Clevudine is a pyrimidine analog with potent and sustained antiviral activity against HBV. In the present study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of Clevudine 30 mg daily for 24 weeks and assessed the durability of antiviral response for 24 weeks after cessation of dosing in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B (e-CHB). We randomized a total of 86 patients (3:1) to receive Clevudine 30 mg (n = 63) or placebo (n = 23) daily for 24 weeks. We followed patients for an additional 24 weeks after withdrawal of treatment. The median changes in HBV DNA from baseline were −4.25 and −0.48 log10 copies/mL at week 24 in the Clevudine and placebo groups, respectively (P < 0.0001). Viral suppression in the Clevudine group was sustained after withdrawal of therapy, with 3.11 log10 reduction at week 48. At week 24 and week 48, 92.1% and 16.4% of patients in the Clevudine group had undetectable serum HBV DNA levels by Amplicor PCR assay (<300 copies/mL). The proportion of patients who achieved ALT normalization was 74.6% and 33.3% in the Clevudine and placebo groups at week 24, respectively (P = 0.0006). ALT normalization in the Clevudine group was well-maintained during the post-treatment follow-up period. The incidence of adverse events was similar in the 2 groups. No resistance to Clevudine was detected during treatment. Conclusion: A 24-week Clevudine therapy was well-tolerated and showed potent and sustained antiviral effect without evidence of viral resistance in e-CHB patients. However, treatment for longer than 24 weeks would be needed to achieve durable remission. (HEPATOLOGY 2007.)

  • Clevudine is highly efficacious in hepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B with durable off-therapy viral suppression
    Hepatology, 2007
    Co-Authors: Byung Chul Yoo, Ju Hyun Kim, Kwan Sik Lee, Byung Hoon Han, Kwang Cheol Koh, Taehun Kim, Young Soo Kim, Chae Yoon Chon, Joon-yeol Han
    Abstract:

    Clevudine is a pyrimidine analog with potent and sustained antiviral activity against HBV. In the present study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of Clevudine 30 mg daily for 24 weeks and assessed the durability of antiviral response for 24 weeks after cessation of dosing in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B (e-CHB). We randomized a total of 86 patients (3:1) to receive Clevudine 30 mg (n = 63) or placebo (n = 23) daily for 24 weeks. We followed patients for an additional 24 weeks after withdrawal of treatment. The median changes in HBV DNA from baseline were −4.25 and −0.48 log10 copies/mL at week 24 in the Clevudine and placebo groups, respectively (P < 0.0001). Viral suppression in the Clevudine group was sustained after withdrawal of therapy, with 3.11 log10 reduction at week 48. At week 24 and week 48, 92.1% and 16.4% of patients in the Clevudine group had undetectable serum HBV DNA levels by Amplicor PCR assay (