[Therapy of viral hepatitis].
Chronic viral hepatitis is a leading cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. Here, we will briefly review common indications and current therapies for chronic hepatitis B and C and discuss practical aspects of these therapies. Current therapies for hepatitis C aim at viral eradication. With the introduction of pegylated interferon and ribavirin viral eradication is successful in about 55% of treated patients. The goal of therapy of HBe antigen positive chronic hepatitis B is seroconversion to anti-HBe which can be achieved with interferon alpha in 25-45% of patients. A loss of HBs can be achieved in approximately 10%. Responders proceed significantly less to cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Anti-HBe positive patients can be treated with interferon alpha or lamivudine. The former requires longer treatment and the results are disappointing. Lamivudine is a promising agent in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, but the success is hampered by a high relapse rate and the emergence of viral resistance.
Burckhardt
B
B
Institut für Klinische Pharmakologie, Universität Bern. beat.burckhardt@ikp.unibe.ch
Reichen
J
J
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019562:Viral Load
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D019259:Lamivudine; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a