Hepatitis B virus: New therapeutic perspectives
Journal
Liver International
Journal Volume
36
Pages
85-92
Date Issued
2016
Author(s)
Abstract
Current antiviral therapies have dramatically improved the long-term outcomes of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Both interferon (IFN) and nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) treatments have been shown to reduce the progression of liver disease in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. However, persistent covalently closed circular DNA (DNA) can result in a viral relapse after discontinuation of antiviral treatment. On the basis of extensive research on the HBV lifecycle and virus-host interactions, several new agents focusing on viral and host targets are under development to cure HBV. New polymerase inhibitors, tenofovir alafenamide and besifovir provide effective and safer treatment for CHB patients. Agents targeting DNA, such as engineered site-specific nucleases and RNA interference therapeutics could eliminate DNA or silence DNA transcription. Inhibitors of HBV nucleocapsid assembly suppress capsid formation and prevent synthesis of HBV DNA. The HBV entry inhibitor, Myrcludex-B, has been shown to effectively inhibit amplification of DNA as well as the spread of intrahepatic infection. Agents targeting host factors that enhance innate and adaptive immune responses, including the lymphotoxin-β receptor agonist, toll-like receptor agonist, immune checkpoint inhibitors and adenovirus-based therapeutic vaccine, could play a critical role in the elimination of HBV-infected cells. With all of these promising approaches, we hope to reach the ultimate goal of a cure to HBV in the near future. ? 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S.
SDGs
Other Subjects
antivirus agent; besifovir; complementary DNA; hepatitis B(e) antigen; nucleocapsid protein; tenofovir alafenamide; antivirus agent; circular DNA; lipopeptide; myrcludex-B; virus DNA; antiviral therapy; cancer incidence; cancer prevention; clinical trial (topic); controlled clinical trial (topic); disease course; drug targeting; hepatitis B; Hepatitis B virus; host; human; immune response; liver cell carcinoma; meta analysis (topic); multicenter study (topic); nonhuman; phase 1 clinical trial (topic); protein assembly; randomized controlled trial (topic); Review; virus assembly; virus entry; virus inhibition; virus nucleocapsid; blood; drug effects; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis B, Chronic; virus replication; Antiviral Agents; Disease Progression; DNA, Circular; DNA, Viral; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis B, Chronic; Humans; Lipopeptides; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Virus Replication
Publisher
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Type
review