Robert Perrillo – 27 April 2009 – Alpha interferon is the only licensed drug for hepatitis B with immunomodulatory as well as viral inhibitory properties. Potential advantages of interferon compared to nucleoside analogs include a lack of drug resistance, a finite and defined treatment course, and a higher likelihood for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance.
Adrian M. Di Bisceglie – 27 April 2009 – Chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus has been linked epidemiologically to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma for more than 30 years. Although the mechanisms by which chronic hepatitis B viral infection results in hepatocellular carcinoma are unclear, there is good evidence that the virus itself exerts a direct hepatocarcinogenic effect, and this has implications for prevention. First, programs of universal infant vaccination have been shown to be effective in reducing the rate of hepatocellular carcinoma among children.
Karin L. Andersson, Raymond T. Chung – 27 April 2009 – Recent studies suggest that long‐term suppression of viral replication is critical to reducing the complications of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Monitoring for continued virological response during and after treatment is essential because current treatment options have limited success in achieving durable endpoints, and antiviral resistance may emerge during long‐term therapy.
Bulent Degertekin, Anna S. F. Lok – 27 April 2009 – Increased treatment options that are more efficacious and safe and new knowledge on the natural history of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection have expanded the indications for therapy in hepatitis B. The question is no longer “Who should be treated?” but “When should treatment be initiated?” Treatment is clearly indicated in patients with life‐threatening liver disease (acute liver failure, decompensated cirrhosis, or severe hepatitis flare) and in those with compensated cirrhosis and high levels of serum HBV DNA.
Marion G. Peters – 27 April 2009 – Treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection who have advanced disease or comorbidities can be challenging, and recommendations may differ from standard guidelines. Among the special populations that merit specific consideration are patients with compensated or decompensated cirrhosis, organ transplantation, acute hepatitis B, pregnancy, coinfection with hepatitis C and/or D virus, chronic renal failure, and children.
Michael G. Ison, John J. Friedewald – 27 April 2009
Monica Basso, Edoardo G. Giannini, Francesco Torre, Sabrina Blanchi, Vincenzo Savarino, Antonino Picciotto – 27 April 2009 – The incidence and clinical meaning of elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in chronic hepatitis C patients who are hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐RNA negative during pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) and ribavirin therapy have not been completely characterized.
Laurie D. DeLeve, Dominique‐Charles Valla, Guadalupe Garcia‐Tsao – 27 April 2009
T. Jake Liang – 27 April 2009 – Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infects more than 300 million people worldwide and is a common cause of liver disease and liver cancer. HBV, a member of the Hepadnaviridae family, is a small DNA virus with unusual features similar to retroviruses. HBV replicates through an RNA intermediate and can integrate into the host genome. The unique features of the HBV replication cycle confer a distinct ability of the virus to persist in infected cells.
Pei‐Chun Tsai, Tz‐Win Fu, Yi‐Ming Arthur Chen, Tsui‐Ling Ko, Tien‐Hua Chen, Yang‐Hsin Shih, Shih‐Chieh Hung, Yu‐Show Fu – 27 April 2009 – We investigated the effect of human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells (HUMSCs) from Wharton's jelly on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)–induced liver fibrosis in rats. Rats were treated with CCl4 for 4 weeks, and this was followed by a direct injection of HUMSCs into their livers.