Comparative Efficacy and Cost-Effectiveness of Tenofovir Amibufenamide, Tenofovir Alafenamide, and Centralized Volume-Based Procurement Tenofovir Alafenamide in Chronic Hepatitis B Treatment

Strategic Insights -

A recent study published in the journal Current Medical Science has shed light on the comparative efficacy and cost-effectiveness of three regimens used to treat chronic hepatitis B (CHB): tenofovir amibufenamide (TMF), tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), and centralized volume-based procurement (CVBP) TAF. The study, conducted at Tianjin University Central Hospital, analyzed the application effects of these three regimens in 173 CHB patients who received treatment for 48 weeks. The results showed that TMF demonstrated superior efficacy to I-TAF and CVBP-TAF, with significantly higher HBV-DNA negative conversion rate and ALT normalization rate. However, CVBP-TAF had the lowest cost-effectiveness ratio (CER) at 4.62 CNY/%, followed by TMF with an intermediate CER at 60.45 CNY/%, and I-TAF with the highest CER at 66.49 CNY/%. The study concluded that future strategies should improve the accessibility of TMF to expand its use, despite its higher cost compared to CVBP-TAF.

Key Takeaways:

  • TMF demonstrated superior efficacy to I-TAF and CVBP-TAF in 48-week treatment of CHB, with significantly higher HBV-DNA negative conversion rate and ALT normalization rate.
  • CVBP-TAF had the lowest CER at 4.62 CNY/%, while TMF had an intermediate CER at 60.45 CNY/%, and I-TAF had the highest CER at 66.49 CNY/%.
  • The study included 173 patients, with 58 in the TMF group, 58 in the I-TAF group, and 57 in the CVBP-TAF group.
  • No significant differences in safety outcomes were observed among the three groups.
  • The study concluded that future strategies should improve the affordability of TMF to expand its accessibility.
  • The study was conducted at Tianjin University Central Hospital from September 2019 to September 2024.

Statistics:

  • 173 patients were included in the study.
  • 58 patients received TMF, 58 patients received I-TAF, and 57 patients received CVBP-TAF.
  • The study analyzed the efficacy endpoints of HBV-DNA negative conversion, HBeAg seroclearance, and ALT normalization.
  • The study included a cost-effectiveness analysis to calculate the CER per unit efficacy gain and incremental CER using a healthcare payer perspective.
  • The CER for CVBP-TAF was 4.62 CNY/%, TMF was 60.45 CNY/%, and I-TAF was 66.49 CNY/%.

Sources:

  • A Real-World Pharmacological Assessment of Tenofovir Amibufenamide and Tenofovir Alafenamide in 48-Week Chronic Hepatitis B Treatment: Efficacy, Safety, and Cost-Effectiveness. Current Medical Science, 2025.
  • NewsRx. Researchers from Tianjin Fifth Central Hospital Detail New Studies and Findings in the Area of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (A Real-World Pharmacological Assessment of Tenofovir Amibufenamide and Tenofovir Alafenamide in 48-Week Chronic Hepatitis ...). Hepatitis Weekly. October 20, 2025; p 113.