[Treatment of hepatitis B virus infection: present and future].
The treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HVB) infection constitutes a challenge in spite of the advances in the therapeutic arsenal available. At the moment there are 4 approved antiviral drug groups: interferons, nucleoside analogues (lamivudine, telbivudine), nucleotide analogues (adefovir- dipivoxil) and cyclopents (entecavir), with different antiviral efficacy among them. The primary target of the treatment is a prolonged suppression of viral replication in order to avoid long term complications (cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma) and increase survival. In first place we must decide when to initiate the treatment. Secondly, which is the best therapeutic option based on the demonstrated antiviral effectiveness, profile of security and appearance of resistances. And finally, the duration and modification of the treatment based on the answer to itself. The objective of this article is a practical revision of the present management of the infection by the HVB.
Planas
Ramón
R
Unidad de Hepatología, Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, CIBEREHD, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain. rplanas.germanstrias@gencat.net
Morillas
Rosa M
RM
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005544:Forecasting; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D019259:Lamivudine; D007372:Interferons