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Published on: September 25, 2019
[Therapy of viral hepatitis]
1Institut für Klinische Pharmakologie, Universität Bern. beat.burckhardt@ikp.unibe.ch
Insights
Current treatments for chronic viral hepatitis B and C offer moderate success rates. While therapies can reduce liver disease progression, challenges like viral resistance and relapse persist, necessitating further research for improved outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Chronic viral hepatitis B and C are major global causes of liver disease, including cirrhosis and cancer.
- Effective management is crucial to prevent severe hepatic complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current therapeutic strategies for chronic hepatitis B and C.
- To discuss practical considerations and outcomes of these treatments.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on therapies for chronic viral hepatitis B and C.
- Analysis of treatment efficacy, indications, and practical aspects.
Main Results:
- Hepatitis C treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin achieves viral eradication in approximately 55% of patients.
- Hepatitis B treatment with interferon alpha yields HBe antigen seroconversion in 25-45% and HBs antigen loss in ~10%.
- Lamivudine shows promise for anti-HBe positive hepatitis B but faces challenges with relapse and resistance.
Conclusions:
- Current therapies for chronic viral hepatitis B and C can slow disease progression to cirrhosis and cancer in responders.
- Further advancements are needed to overcome limitations such as viral resistance and high relapse rates in hepatitis B treatment.
Abstract:
Chronic viral hepatitis is a leading cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. Here, we will briefly review common indications and current therapies for chronic hepatitis B and C and discuss practical aspects of these therapies. Current therapies for hepatitis C aim at viral eradication. With the introduction of pegylated interferon and ribavirin viral eradication is successful in about 55% of treated patients. The goal of therapy of HBe antigen positive chronic hepatitis B is seroconversion to anti-HBe which can be achieved with interferon alpha in 25-45% of patients. A loss of HBs can be achieved in approximately 10%. Responders proceed significantly less to cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Anti-HBe positive patients can be treated with interferon alpha or lamivudine. The former requires longer treatment and the results are disappointing. Lamivudine is a promising agent in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, but the success is hampered by a high relapse rate and the emergence of viral resistance.
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