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[Therapy of viral hepatitis]
1Abteilung Gastroenterologie und Hepatologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover.
Insights
Interferon alpha is the primary treatment for chronic viral hepatitis, offering sustained response in 25-40% of hepatitis B and 10-25% of hepatitis C cases. New drugs like Lamivudine and Ribavirin are under clinical evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Internal Medicine
Context:
- Chronic viral hepatitis significantly impacts medical care and socioeconomic factors.
- It is a leading cause of chronic liver disease, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Hepatitis B, C, and D viruses can lead to chronic hepatitis, unlike Hepatitis A and E which cause acute illness.
Purpose:
- To reduce or normalize elevated transaminases.
- To decrease serologic markers of active viral replication.
- To improve liver histology and prevent chronic hepatitis complications.
Summary:
- Interferon alpha is the only drug with proven efficacy for chronic viral hepatitis.
- Sustained response rates are 25-40% for Hepatitis B and 10-25% for Hepatitis C.
- Emerging therapies include Lamivudine and Famciclovir for HBV, and Ribavirin with Interferon alpha for HCV.
Impact:
- Effective therapy reduces liver damage and prevents serious complications.
- Improved treatment outcomes can lessen the socioeconomic burden of viral hepatitis.
- Ongoing research into new antivirals promises better therapeutic options.
Abstract:
The therapy of viral hepatitis has great medical and socioeconomic impact. Today chronic viral hepatitis is the most important cause for chronic liver disease, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatitis A and E cause acute courses exclusively whereas infection with the hepatitis B, C, and D virus might result in chronic hepatitis as well. The goal of therapy of chronic viral hepatitis has to be a reduction/normalisation of elevated transaminases, decrease of the serologic parameters of active viral replication, improvement of histology and prevention of complications of chronic hepatitis. The only drug with proven benefit in the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis is interferon alpha. This therapy results in a sustained response in 25 to 40% for hepatitis B and 10 to 25% for hepatitis C infection. New developments under clinical evaluation are Lamivudine and Famciclovir in the treatment of HBV-infection and Ribavirin in combination with INFa for chronic HCV-infection.