Novel therapies and potential therapeutic targets in the management of chronic hepatitis B

Abstract

Chronic hepatitis B is a persistent and progressive inflammatory liver disease caused by infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). More than 240 million individuals are infected with HBV worldwide and hepatitis B accounts for an estimated 650 000 deaths annually. Approximately up to 30% of chronically infected patients will develop complications of HBV infection including, but not limited to, liver cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently approved therapies have improved clinical outcomes, but have a considerable side-effect profile, elevated cost, and a finite course of treatment. This has led to a growing interest in research for new therapies. As the mechanisms for HBV replication are becoming better understood, new potential targets have been discovered, leading to the development of new therapies. In this article, we describe the promising therapies that are under evaluation, showing their mechanisms of action, effects, and stage of development.

Antiviral Activity Exerted by Natural Products against Human Viruses

“…The new viral particles are released from host cells [ 12 ]. Currently, the therapy for HBV includes antiviral nucleoside or nucleotide analogues, such as lamivudine and entecavir as well as immunomodulators such as standard or PEGylated interferon-alpha (IFN-α) [ 13 ]. Although various therapies have been implemented, there are severe side effects, elevated costs, and a high drug resistance rate associated with current anti-HBV treatment [ 14 ].…”

Gold Nanoparticle-Coated Microspheres for Enhancing Immunosensor Detection of Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antibody

“…Hepatitis B virus infection is one of the major causes of worldwide liver cancers that threaten more than 650,000 patient lives out of 240 million who get infected annually [1]. The widespread of the infection results in a great demand of screening and testing devices to determine the infection stage as well as the patient immunity.…”