Optimal management and outlook for antiviral therapy of chronic HBV infection
ZHANG Kai
LIU Yan
XU Dong-ping
LIN Shu-mei
Abstract：Currently, HBV infection is mainly treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) and interferon (IFN)α. However, monotherapy has a limited efficacy in eliminating HBsAg. NAs have the limitation of high relapse rates, difficulty in achieving sustained immunological response as well as emergence of drug resistance. IFNα has a series of side effects and limited treatment efficacy. Therefore, optimization of antiviral therapies is of important significance. Some studies suggest that initial combination of NAs and IFNα or simultaneous or sequential combination (add-on) of IFNα on the basis of NAs increase therapeutic efficacy, including improving the rates of HBsAg elimination and/or seroconversion to a certain extent, but the safety and cost-effectiveness need further evaluation. Predictors and biomarkers are most informative to determine the timing of cessation and relapse after withdrawal. The existing antiviral agents for the treatment of HBV infection may be difficult to achieve clinical cure and elimination of covalently-closed circular DNA. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop novel therapies and treatment modalities ideally with a finite course. This review focuses on optimal management of existing treatment modalities, predictors of therapeutic efficacy and potential new antiviral agents against HBV infection.
Keywords：hepatitis B virushepatitis Bchronicantiviral agents
Publication Date：2016-01-01
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：7( 65-70,76 )