Review
Copyright ©2007 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 14, 2007; 13(6): 830-836
Published online Feb 14, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i6.830
Novel approaches towards conquering hepatitis B virus infection
Guo-Yi Wu, Hong-Song Chen
Guo-Yi Wu, Hong-Song Chen, Hepatology Institute, People’s Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100044, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the National Basic Research Program, No. 2005CB522902; the Municipal Science and Technique Program, H030230150130
Correspondence to: Dr. Hong-Song Chen, Hepatology Institute, People’s Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100044, China. chen2999@sohu.com
Telephone: +86-13501196710 Fax: +86-10-68318386
Received: December 11, 2006
Revised: December 20, 2006
Accepted: January 9, 2007
Published online: February 14, 2007
Abstract

Currently approved treatments for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection include the immunomodulatory agent, IFN-α, and nucleos(t)ide analogues. Their efficacy is limited by their side effects, as well as the induction of viral mutations that render them less potent. It is thus necessary to develop drugs that target additional viral antigens. Chemicals and biomaterials by unique methods of preventing HBV replication are currently being developed, including novel nucleosides and newly synthesized compounds such as capsid assembling and mRNA transcription inhibitors. Molecular therapies that target different stages of the HBV life cycle will aid current methods to manage chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. The use of immunomodulators and gene therapy are also under consideration. This report summarizes the most recent treatment possibilities for CHB infection. Emerging therapies and their potential mechanisms, efficacy, and pitfalls are discussed.

Keywords: Hepatitis B virus, Antiviral drugs, Drug evaluation, Immunomodulatory agents, Gene therapy