Chronic Hepatitis B: Current and Future Treatment Options
Hepatitis B, a major viral infection that can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, is the ninth most common cause of death worldwide. Prevention of hepatitis B virus transmission is key to reducing the spread of this serious condition. Management of chronic hepatitis B requires significant knowledge of approved pharmacotherapeutic agents and their limitations. Today, agents approved by the Food and Drug Administration for this infection are interferon-
-2b and lamivudine. Newer agents are being developed and hold promise: adefovir, famciclovir, ganciclovir, lobucavir, entecavir, emtricitabine, L-deoxythymidine, clevudine, a therapeutic vaccine, and thymosin
-1. Therapeutic options for managing hepatitis infection after liver transplantation are also evolving. These include hepatitis B immunoglobulin and nucleoside analogues.
An estimated 300 million people worldwide carry the hepatitis B virus (HBV), a pathogen that can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This virus is the ninth most common cause of death worldwide. In the United States, approximately 1-1.25 million people are chronically infected with HBV. Management of hepatitis B and its complications requires significant knowledge of pharmacotherapeutic options, which rapidly are evolving.
Hepatitis B, a major viral infection that can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, is the ninth most common cause of death worldwide. Prevention of hepatitis B virus transmission is key to reducing the spread of this serious condition. Management of chronic hepatitis B requires significant knowledge of approved pharmacotherapeutic agents and their limitations. Today, agents approved by the Food and Drug Administration for this infection are interferon-
-2b and lamivudine. Newer agents are being developed and hold promise: adefovir, famciclovir, ganciclovir, lobucavir, entecavir, emtricitabine, L-deoxythymidine, clevudine, a therapeutic vaccine, and thymosin
-1. Therapeutic options for managing hepatitis infection after liver transplantation are also evolving. These include hepatitis B immunoglobulin and nucleoside analogues.
An estimated 300 million people worldwide carry the hepatitis B virus (HBV), a pathogen that can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This virus is the ninth most common cause of death worldwide. In the United States, approximately 1-1.25 million people are chronically infected with HBV. Management of hepatitis B and its complications requires significant knowledge of pharmacotherapeutic options, which rapidly are evolving.