Novel Combination Strategies With Investigational Agents for Functional Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B Infection

Abstract  Purpose of ReviewFunctional cure, defined as sustained seroclearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), is a favorable treatment endpoint in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). As current drugs rarely induce functional cure, investigational agents with different modes of action are being developed. Combination of investigational agents may synergistically induce functional cure, and we reviewed the evidence on novel combination strategies for CHB.Recent FindingsCombination strategies involving novel virus-targeting agents with immunomodulators can target both the virus and the host. In particular, potent HBsAg suppression with seroclearance has been reported with combinations of pegylated interferon alpha with small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs), nucleic acid polymers (NAPs), and entry inhibitors, respectively. Conversely, the combinations of virus-targeting agents or the combinations of immunomodulators have yielded mixed results.SummaryCombination strategies involving both virus-targeting agents and immunomodulators have demonstrated encouraging data in phase I/II trials. Further studies are warranted to confirm the efficacy and safety of combination regimens.
Source: Current Hepatitis Reports - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research