Novel anti-hepatitis B agents: A focus on telbivudine.
Although preventable by vaccination, hepatitis B infection is common, affecting more than 350 million individuals worldwide. Chronic hepatitis B infection is associated with the complications of chronic liver disease including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current agents designed to target hepatitis B are hindered by the development of resistance, poor tolerability or limited efficacy and a demand for new agents and strategies continues. This review focuses on telbivudine, a novel agent in the fight against hepatitis B.
Jones
R
R
St Stephens Centre, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK. rachael.jones@chelwest.nhs.uks
Nelson
M
M
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000187:drug effects; D024882:Drug Resistance, Viral; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D009705:Nucleosides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011744:Pyrimidinones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077712:Telbivudine; D013936:Thymidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000235:genetics
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D009705:Nucleosides; D011744:Pyrimidinones; D014758:Viral Core Proteins; D000077712:Telbivudine; D013936:Thymidine