NEW NUCLEOSIDE ANALOGS FOR CHRONIC HEPATITIS-B

In recent years, an in vitro system for screening nucleoside analogues against hepatitis B virus has yielded several compounds with a high t herapeutic index. Phase I and II studies have also shown a potent in v ivo antiviral effect of fialuridine and lamivudine in patients with ch ronic hepatitis B. The use of fialuridine was associated with unexpect edly severe mitochondrial dysfunction; in contrast, lamivudine had vir tually no side-effects. Experience in liver transplant patients with r ecurrent hepatitis B shows that famciclovir may be another effective a ntivirotic drug with good tolerance. (C) Journal of Hepatology.