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Updates on Chronic HBV: Current Challenges and Future Goals

  • Liver (J Bajaj, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Chronic HBV (CHB) remains a global public health problem with over 257 million people chronically infected worldwide. Without appropriate management, 20% of individuals infected with CHB will die from complications of cirrhosis, liver failure, or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite an effective vaccination to prevent infection, HBV has yet to be successfully eradicated globally. Current treatments can only control and suppress the virus but cannot cure. Updates in the management of chronic HBV will be reviewed, including latest treatments and treatment strategies as well as potential curative therapeutic agents in clinical trial.

Recent Findings

A new nucleotide analogue drug, tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF), has been added to the HBV therapeutic armamentarium. A more potent drug showing non-inferiority, TAF has shown to improve renal and bone laboratory safety parameters compared to TDF. In addition, new treatment recommendations have been made for both general and special populations including pregnancy and HBV reactivation. There is growing data supporting the importance of antiviral therapy in patients with advanced liver disease and liver decompensation which has resulted in improved outcomes. In addition, at least 30 potential therapeutics are in clinical trials in the pursuit of curative treatments for chronic HBV with the goal of “functional cure.”

Summary

CHB remains a global public health problem with complications including cirrhosis, liver failure, and HCC. Current antiviral therapy can cause reversal of liver disease, improve outcomes, and prevent complications such as reactivation but still requires long-term use. Curative treatments for HBV are greatly needed with promising curative drugs in early phase studies.

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  1. Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, 1200 E. Broad St, 14th floor, PO Box 980341, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA

    Hannah M. Lee MD & Bubu A. Banini MD PhD

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Lee, H.M., Banini, B.A. Updates on Chronic HBV: Current Challenges and Future Goals. Curr Treat Options Gastro 17, 271–291 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11938-019-00236-3

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