Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
11:34
A Competent Hepatocyte Model Examining Hepatitis B Virus Entry through Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide as a Therapeutic Target
Published on: May 10, 2022
Why do we not yet have combination chemotherapy for chronic hepatitis B?
Joseph J Sasadeusz1, Stephen L Locarnini, Graeme Macdonald
1Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, and Centre for Clinical Research Excellence in Infectious Diseases, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria. Joe.Sasadeusz@mh.org.au
The Medical Journal of Australia
|February 21, 2007
Summary
Sequential monotherapy for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is suboptimal. Combination therapy, particularly in treatment-naive patients, may decrease antiviral resistance, a critical factor for long-term management of HBV.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection management faces challenges due to multidrug-resistant strains.
- Sequential monotherapy is currently standard, despite its limitations in preventing resistance.
- Antiviral resistance in HBV can lead to severe, life-threatening complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the potential of combination antiviral therapy in managing chronic HBV infection.
- To explore combination therapy's efficacy in preventing the development of antiviral resistance.
- To compare combination therapy with sequential monotherapy for chronic HBV.
Main Methods:
- Review of emerging data on combination therapy for chronic HBV.
- Analysis of complementary drugs like lamivudine and adefovir dipivoxil.
- Assessment of resistance mutations associated with different antiviral agents.
Main Results:
- Combination therapy may decrease the evolution of antiviral resistance in HBV infection.
- Adefovir dipivoxil demonstrates activity against lamivudine-resistant HBV strains.
- Emerging data suggests combination therapy is a promising strategy.
Conclusions:
- Combination therapy is likely more effective in treatment-naive patients than sequential monotherapy.
- Preventing antiviral resistance is a crucial long-term endpoint for chronic HBV management.
- Combination therapy represents a potential paradigm shift in treating chronic HBV infection.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Hepatitis
Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver most commonly caused by hepatotropic viruses (A–E), though non-infectious causes such as alcohol and drugs also exist.Hepatitis AHepatitis A virus (HAV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, typically through ingestion of contaminated food or water. After ingestion, HAV enters the bloodstream through the oropharynx or intestinal epithelium and reaches the liver. The...
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
01:28Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction
Viral hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver caused by infection with hepatotropic viruses, most commonly hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Despite variations in structure and transmission, all viruses mentioned infect hepatocytes and provoke immune responses that can hinder liver function. Additionally, some non-hepatotropic viruses can also lead to hepatic inflammation.Hepatitis A VirusHepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through the fecal–oral route, typically by ingestion of food...
01:29Chronic Pancreatitis II: Collaborative Care
The management of chronic pancreatitis is multifaceted, involving a comprehensive approach that includes thorough assessment, diagnostic testing, and a variety of management strategies.
Assessment:
Assessment:
01:26Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow
Chronic liver disease significantly impacts drug metabolism due to alterations in hepatic blood flow and enzyme accessibility. This disruption affects the body's pharmacokinetics—the movement and processing of drugs within the system. Key enzymes crucial for metabolizing medications become less accessible, changing how drugs are processed and utilized. Furthermore, liver disease influences the synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin and globulins, which play critical roles in drug binding...