Topic Highlight
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World J Gastroenterol. Oct 7, 2014; 20(37): 13293-13305
Published online Oct 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i37.13293
Update on hepatitis B virus infection
Chan Ran You, Sung Won Lee, Jeong Won Jang, Seung Kew Yoon
Chan Ran You, Sung Won Lee, Jeong Won Jang, Seung Kew Yoon, Division of Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, South Korea
Author contributions: Yoon SK conducted the review and wrote the manuscript; You CR, Lee SW and Jang JW revised the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Seung Kew Yoon, MD, PhD, Professor, Division of Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, #505 Banpodong, Seocho-gu, Seoul 137-701, South Korea. yoonsk@catholic.ac.kr
Telephone: +82-2-22587534 Fax: +82-2-5369559
Received: November 29, 2013
Revised: March 18, 2014
Accepted: April 5, 2014
Published online: October 7, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: The primary goal of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treatment is to eradicate hepatitis B virus (HBV) or to at least maintain suppression of HBV replication. To this end, it is essential to better understand the immunopathogenesis of CHB, although it has yet to be further elucidated. More practically, it is of great importance to choose a potent antiviral drug with a low risk of resistance for initial treatment of CHB to achieve sustained virological response. This review highlights recent advances in the understanding of the immunopathogenesis of HBV and currently available and developing treatment strategies for HBV infection.