Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2017 | Review
New Viral and Immunological Targets for Hepatitis B Treatment and Cure: A Review
Authors:
Joop E. Arends, Faydra I. Lieveld, Shazaad Ahmad, Andrew Ustianowski
Published in:
Infectious Diseases and Therapy
|
Issue 4/2017
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Abstract
Although current therapies can be successful at suppressing hepatitis B viral load, long-term viral cure is not within reach. Subsequent strategies combining pegylated interferon alfa with nucleoside/nucleotide analogues have not resulted in any major paradigm shift. An improved understanding of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) lifec ycle and virus-induced immune dysregulation has, however, revealed many potential therapeutic targets, and there are hopes that treatment of hepatitis B could soon be revolutionized. This review summarizes the current developments in HBV therapeutics—both virus directed and host directed.