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Real-World Safety and Effectiveness of Oral Nucleos(t)ide Analogs in the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection

  • Hepatitis B (JK Lim, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains a major global contributor to liver related morbidity and mortality. Currently available first line therapies offer all oral, highly effective, and safe treatment options for suppression of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and reduce long-term CHB-related complications. This review summarizes some of the more recent real-world data on the safety and effectiveness of oral nucleos(t)ide analogs in the treatment of CHB.

Recent Findings

Current first line CHB oral treatment options include entecavir (ETV), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF). Recent real-world evidence continues to emphasize the highly effective nature of these therapies in suppressing HBV DNA and normalization of alanine aminotransferase. While all of these oral nucleos(t)ide analogs are relatively safe and well-tolerated, we include some recent data illustrating the potential benefit of TAF among CHB patients at risk for chronic kidney disease or osteopenia/osteoporosis.

Summary

While highly effective and safe oral antiviral therapies are available for CHB treatment, disparities in timely CHB diagnosis and linkage to care and treatment remain. Improvements in HBV screening for early CHB diagnosis as well as effective programs to link known CHB patients into care and treatment are urgently needed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gastroenterology and Hepatology Section, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Healthcare System, Palo Alto, CA, USA

    Robert J. Wong & Ramsey C. Cheung

  2. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Healthcare System, Stanford University School of Medicine, 3801 Miranda Ave, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA

    Robert J. Wong & Ramsey C. Cheung

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Correspondence to Robert J. Wong.

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Robert Wong: research grants (to his institution): Gilead Sciences; consulting/advisory board: Gilead Sciences. Ramsey Cheung declares no conflict of interest.

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Wong, R.J., Cheung, R.C. Real-World Safety and Effectiveness of Oral Nucleos(t)ide Analogs in the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection. Curr Hepatology Rep 20, 144–150 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11901-021-00571-z

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