Entecavir is superior to lamivudine in reducing hepatitis B virus DNA in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection.

Background & Aims: Entecavir is a novel and selective nucleoside analogue with potent activity against hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Methods: In a 24-week, double-blind, randomized, multicenter, phase II clinical trial, the safety and efficacy of entecavir (0.01 mg/day, 0.