[New antiviral agents in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and C]

Interferon (IFN) is the drug universally used in the treatment of B and C chronic hepatitis. Due to its low efficacy, 40% in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and 10-20% in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, and to its adverse events, in some cases severe, new antiviric molecules are being investigated. Lamivudin, famciclovir and the association of ribavirin and IFN are the more relevant and will be clinically accepted in an immediate future. It is also probable that rigid indications for hepatic transplantation in patients with liver cirrhosis by B virus change in the next years due to the use of these new antiviric drugs before and after transplantation. In this revision we analyze the current situation of these new therapies. However, most information come from pilot studies, and multicentric randomized studies are needed to establish firm conclusions about the role that these new therapies are going to play in the treatment of viral chronic hepatitis.