DAVID M. NOVICK, M.D.
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To the editor: The study by Garcia and colleagues (1) of adenine arabinoside monophosphate (Ara-AMP) with or without leukocyte interferon compared with placebo as antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a valuable contribution. Their study is consistent with others in showing Ara-AMP to be inadequate therapy for many HBV-infected patients, particularly homosexual men. Nevertheless, several points deserve comment.
Garcia and colleagues used considerably more Ara-AMP (three 1-month courses alternating with a month of placebo or interferon) than did other investigators who showed efficacy with a 4-week course (2, 3). Besides increasing the toxicity of Ara-AMP treatment,
NOVICK DM. Chronic Hepatitis B and Adenine Arabinoside Monophosphate (Ara-AMP). Ann Intern Med. ;108:492–493. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-108-3-492
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© 2019
Published: Ann Intern Med. 1988;108(3):492-493.
DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-108-3-492