title: [Progress and perspectives in treatment of chronic hepatitis B].
abstract: In Japan there are four approved anti-hepatitis B virus drugs available. Interferon has both antiviral and immune-modulatory effects. When it is effective, the durable treatment responses can be obtained. Three nucleoside and nucleotide analogues, lamivudine, adefovir, and entecavir, are potent oral inhibitors of HBV replication and well-tolerable. Though these drugs have greatly improved clinical course of chronic hepatitis B, it is still difficult to eradicate HBV from carriers. Several trials of combination of nucleoside analogues and interferon have been reported and some showed improved treatment responses. Further studies are needed to explore the best way to combine several drugs or to discover new anti-HBV drugs.
authors: Department of Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine.
authors: Masahito
authors: M
authors: Minami
authors: Takeshi
authors: T
authors: Okanoue