Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026
09:35
Development of a Hepatitis B Virus Reporter System to Monitor the Early Stages of the Replication Cycle
Published on: February 1, 2017
Chronic hepatitis B: preventing, detecting, and managing viral resistance
Emmet B Keeffe1, Douglas T Dieterich, Jean-Michel Pawlotsky
1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. ekeeffe@stanford.edu
Summary
Preventing antiviral drug resistance in chronic hepatitis B (HBV) is key. Using potent agents with high resistance barriers and monitoring HBV DNA levels can optimize treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Current oral antiviral therapies for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) include lamivudine, adefovir, entecavir, and telbivudine.
- Off-label options for HBV treatment include emtricitabine and tenofovir, often used in combination for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the growing challenge of antiviral drug resistance in chronic hepatitis B management.
- To explore optimal strategies for preventing and managing HBV antiviral drug resistance.
Main Methods:
- Review of licensed oral antiviral agents for HBV and HIV.
- Analysis of clinical trial data on treatment resistance and second-line regimens.
- Discussion of resistance prevention strategies, including agent selection and monitoring.
Main Results:
- High genetic barrier agents and combination therapy with distinct resistance profiles may be optimal first-line treatments.
- Frequent monitoring of serum HBV DNA is crucial for early detection of resistance.
- Second-line therapies can restore viral suppression, but long-term benefits require further study.
Conclusions:
- Preventing HBV antiviral drug resistance requires strategic agent selection and vigilant monitoring.
- While current treatments show promise, novel agents targeting new viral pathways are needed for patients with treatment failure.
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...
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...
01:10Retrovirus Life Cycles
Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the retrovirus to...
01:29Viruses with RNA Genomes
RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...
01:30Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis
Protein synthesis is indispensable for viral replication, as viruses lack the cellular machinery required for this process and must hijack the host's translational apparatus. In response, host cells deploy a critical innate immune defense involving interferons, specialized cytokines that play a central role in inhibiting viral propagation.Upon viral detection, infected cells release interferons that bind to receptors on adjacent uninfected cells, activating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and...
01:22Antiviral Nucleoside Inhibitors
Antiviral Nucleoside InhibitorsAntiviral nucleoside inhibitors are structural analogs of natural nucleosides that interfere with viral DNA or RNA synthesis. These compounds selectively target viral polymerases due to their resemblance to host nucleosides, thereby disrupting viral genome replication.Mechanism of Acyclovir ActionAcyclovir is a guanosine analog with a three-carbon acyclic side chain. It selectively targets herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2),...