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Review article: novel therapies for hepatitis B virus cure – advances and perspectives
Author(s) -
Lin C.L.,
Kao J.H.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
alimentary pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.308
H-Index - 177
eISSN - 1365-2036
pISSN - 0269-2813
DOI - 10.1111/apt.13694
Subject(s) - hepatitis b virus , medicine , cccdna , virology , hepatitis b , virus , immunology , hbsag
Summary Background Current anti‐viral therapies, interferon and nucleos(t)ide analogues, have been proven to reduce the progression of chronic hepatitis B ( CHB ). However, covalently closed circular DNA (ccc DNA ) of hepatitis B virus ( HBV ) persists, resulting in viral relapse after the discontinuation of treatment. Aim To discuss and review novel therapies for chronic hepatitis B infection. Methods Recent published studies which searched from PubMed were comprehensive reviewed. The key words include chronic hepatitis B, hepatitis B virus cure, covalently closed circular DNA , direct acting anti‐virals and host targeting agents. Results Several novel agents through viral and host targets approaches are under investigations towards functional cure of HBV . On the one hand, direct acting anti‐virals targeting virus itself, such as HBV new polymerase inhibitor, entry inhibitor, engineered site‐specific nucleases and RNA interference, could inhibit amplification of ccc DNA as well as intrahepatic HBV infection and eliminate or silence ccc DNA transcription. Inhibitors of HBV nucleocapsid assembly suppress capsid formation and prevent synthesis of HBV DNA . On the other hand, host targeting agents ( HTA ) include lymphotoxin‐β receptor agonist, toll‐like receptor agonist, immune checkpoint inhibitors and adenovirus‐based therapeutic vaccine. Through enhancing innate and adaptive immune responses, these agents could induce noncytolytic destruction of ccc DNA or attack HBV ‐infected hepatocytes. Conclusion With these promising approaches, we hope to reach global hepatitis B virus control in the middle of this century.