HBeAg negative (study 027): treatment with entecavir up to 96 weeks (n = 325) resulted in cumulative response rates of 94% for HBV DNA < 300 copies/ ml by PCR and 89% for ALT normalisation versus 77% for HBV DNA < 300 copies/ ml by PCR and 84% for ALT normalisation for lamivudine-treated patients (n = 313).