The case of chronic hepatitis B treatment with tenofovir: an update for nephrologists

J Nephrol. 2015 Aug;28(4):393-402. doi: 10.1007/s40620-015-0214-0. Epub 2015 Jun 9.

Abstract

Tenofovir is a nucleotide acting both as an inhibitor of human immunodeficiency (HIV) reverse transcriptase and as a competitor for hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA-directed DNA polymerase. Approved worldwide in 2001, tenofovir is used as a component of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in patients with HIV infection. Since 2008, it has also been indicated for treatment of chronic HBV infection or HIV/HBV co-infection. The aim of the treatment consists in suppressing viral replication, thus reducing hepatic complications and improving patient survival. Furthermore, tenofovir could represent an effective therapeutic option in lamivudine-resistant HBV patients. Tenofovir is eliminated unchanged through urine via glomerular filtration (80%) and proximal tubular secretion (20%). Thus, alterations in renal clearance may interfere with tenofovir pharmacokinetics and systemic drug concentrations, modifying the therapeutic response. Hence, a renal overload of tenofovir in patients with a pre-existing kidney impairment could result in a worsening of renal function. Following a brief introduction on HBV infection and its therapeutic options, we review the latest evidence, to our knowledge, on renal toxicity of tenofovir in HBV patients and on drug management.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Glomerular Filtration Rate
  • Hepatitis B virus / drug effects*
  • Hepatitis B virus / growth & development
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Kidney / drug effects
  • Kidney / physiopathology
  • Patient Safety
  • Renal Elimination
  • Risk Assessment
  • Tenofovir / adverse effects
  • Tenofovir / pharmacokinetics
  • Tenofovir / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Virus Replication / drug effects

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Tenofovir