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Abstract Details
Role of antiviral therapy in the natural history of hepatitis B virus-related chronic liver disease
Russo FP1, Rodríguez-Castro K1, Scribano L1, Gottardo G1, Vanin V1, Farinati F1. World J Hepatol. 2015 May 18;7(8):1097-104. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v7.i8.1097.
Author information
1Francesco Paolo Russo, Kryssia Rodríguez-Castro, Gastroenterology/Multiviseral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, 35128 PD Padua, Italy.
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a dynamic state of interactions among HBV, hepatocytes, and the host immune system. Natural history studies of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection have shown an association between active viral replication and adverse clinical outcomes such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The goal of therapy for CHB is to improve quality of life and survival by preventing progression of the disease to cirrhosis, decompensation, end-stage liver disease, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and death. This goal can be achieved if HBV replication is suppressed in a sustained manner. The accompanying reduction in histological activity of CHB lessens the risk of cirrhosis and of HCC, particularly in non-cirrhotic patients. However, CHB infection cannot be completely eradicated, due to the persistence of covalently closed circular DNA in the nucleus of infected hepatocytes, which may explain HBV reactivation. Moreover, the integration of the HBV genome into the host genome may favour oncogenesis, development of HCC and may also contribute to HBV reactivation.