Therapy of chronic hepatitis B: focus on telbivudine

[Guest guest]

Dig Liver Dis. 2007 Nov;39 Suppl 3:S372-8.

Therapy of chronic hepatitis B: focus on telbivudine.

Gaeta GB, Stornaiuolo G.

Acute and Chronic Hepatitis Unit, University of Naples II, Italy.

giovannib.gaeta@...

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)viral load is closely related to necroinflammation and

the outcome of chronic hepatitis B. The available treatment options to reduce

viral load, and hence improve outcome, are either based on IFN or on

nucleoside/nucleotide analogue antiviral agents, which inhibit HBVDNA

replication. Use of IFN alfa or pegylated IFN alfa-2a for periods longer than 48

weeks is limited by their side-effects. The antiviral agents have much more

acceptable side-effect profiles, and lamivudine, the first antiviral to become

available, was widely used until it became apparent that it carries a high

potential for resistance to emerge, which rapidly negates its benefit. A new

antiviral agent, telbivudine, has been approved in the USA and Europe and

appears to be very rapid and potent against HBV, with an excellent safety

profile.

Publication Types:

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 18063258 [PubMed - in process]

_________________________________________________________________

Climb to the top of the charts! Play the word scramble challenge with star

power.

http://club.live.com/star_shuffle.aspx?icid=starshuffle_wlmailtextlink_jan