Expert Opinion
Clinical cure of hepatitis B: consensus and controversy
Hou Jinlin, Wei Lai, Wang Guiqiang, Jia Jidong, Duan Zhongping, Zhuang Hui
Published 2020-08-20
Cite as Chin J Hepatol, 2020, 28(8): 636-639. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn501113-20200722-00409
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious global public health issue. At present, clinical cure is the ideal endpoint for hepatitis B treatment. That is to say, after the completion of treatment, the serum hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) is negative, with or without the presence of antibody against hepatitis B virus surface antigen (anti-HBs), undetectable HBV DNA, liver biochemical indicators within normal range, and improved liver tissue lesions. However, it is difficult to achieve a satisfactory clinical cure effect based on the existing therapeutic drugs. To this end, scientists have conducted many explorations, whether it is a combination of nucleos(t)ide analogues and pegylated interferon therapy strategies, or timely termination of antiviral drug treatment, or accelerate the research and development of innovative drugs. The road to clinical cure of hepatitis B is obstructive and long, with full of opportunities and controversies, but the lead is about to come. We always believe that through unremitting efforts, the dream of helping chronic hepatitis B patients to obtain clinical cure or even complete cure will eventually come true.
Key words:
Hepatitis B virus; Treatment; Clinical cure; Functional cure
Contributor Information
Hou Jinlin
Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
Wei Lai
Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgeng Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China
Wang Guiqiang
Department of Infectious Diseases, No1 Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100034, China
Jia Jidong
Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University
Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Liver Cirrhosis
National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases
Beijing 100050, China
Duan Zhongping
Difficult &
Complicated Liver Diseases and Artificial Liver Center, Beijing You'an Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
Zhuang Hui
Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100083, China