Treatment of chronic hepatitis B and the implications of viral resistance to therapy

Abstract

Treatment options for chronic HBV infection have improved considerably in recent years. However, with the increased number of available antiviral drugs, it is also more difficult to select the optimal drug for each individual patient. Antiviral potency, the risk for the development of drug resistance, safety and costs of treatment all need to be considered. In this review, we describe current concepts in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, with a special focus on the importance of drug resistance and its implications for the long-term management of hepatitis B. Suggestions for avoiding resistance and management of established drug resistance are provided for each individual approved compound.

Keywords::

• drug resistance
• hepatitis B
• therapy
• vaccine escape

Financial & competing interests disclosure

S Mauss has grant and research support from Roche, Abbott, Schering-Plough and Gilead; is an advisor for Locteron; and is a consultant for Roche, Abbott, BMS, Tibotec, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Idenix and Schering-Ploug. Heiner Wedemeyer has grant and research support from Roche, Gilead and BMS; receives lecturer fees from Roche, Gilead, BMS, Essex and Novartis and is an advisor for Roche, Gilead, BMS and Novartis. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.