Evaluation of alpha-glutathione-S-transferase as a biomarker of lamivudine therapy for chronic hepatitis B.

Hepatic damage associated with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) relies on measurement of serum transaminases and asssessment of hepatic histology. We determined if serum hepatic function tests, including alpha-glutathione-S-transferase ((GST), were of value in monitoring or predicting the effect of lamivudine therapy for CHB. Thirty-nine patients received orally 100 mg of lamivudine daily for 48 weeks. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and at 24 and 48 weeks. At the end of the treatment period the patients were then divided into four groups according to the pattern of HBs and HBe antigens. At baseline and at 24 weeks ALT, AST, and (GST had lower values in the complete response compared to the complete failure groups. Using ROC analysis, only ALT at 24 weeks (area under the curve = 0.803) had significant diagnostic ability in detecting responders. These results reaffirm the value of measuring serum ALT as an indicator of treatment response and provide information on the potential use of (GST as an additional prognostic biomarker in this patient group.