Author information
1Beijing 302-Hong Kong Humanity and Health Hepatitis C Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Beijing, China.
2Second Liver Cirrhosis Diagnosis and Treatment Center, 302 Hospital, Beijing, China.
3Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Humanity and Health Medical Centre, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
4State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
5Institute of Translational Hepatology, 302 Hospital, Beijing, China.
Abstract
Since the registration of the first effective nucleoside analogue against the hepatitis B virus almost two decades ago, major progress has been made in the management of chronic hepatitis B infection. However, hepatitis B-related morbidity and mortality remain a major global health threat. This is partly due to the escalating costs and the decrease in compliance related to the need for prolonged therapy for most patients who cannot be "cured". New biomarkers such as quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen might help to determine if hepatitis B e antigen negative patients can be taken off nucleos(t)ide analogues. On the other hand, novel compounds that target the viral life cycle or modulate host immune response are in the pipeline. In the next few years, one should expect breakthrough advancement to be made leading to a "cure" for patients with chronic hepatitis B infection by inducing hepatitis surface antigen loss with or without the development of the hepatitis B surface antibody. In addition, attention and necessary actions should also be taken in patients with hepatitis B infection who are being treated with immunosuppressive therapy and direct anti-viral (DAAs) agents for hepatitis C infection to prevent hepatitis from hepatitis B reactivation.