HBV Therapy Following Unsuccessful Interferon Therapy: How do you see the Role for Oral Therapies?

The original therapy for chronic hepatitis B was conventional interferon, used for up to 24 weeks. This was replaced by peginterferon, which has similar efficacy, but is more convenient, with weekly dosing instead of daily or thrice weekly. Roughly one-third of HBeAg-positive patients respond with seroconversion during the treatment period. Those that respond often have baseline characteristics associated with interferon efficacy. Those that do not respond often require retreatment. This can be done with interferon, an oral antiviral or a combination of both. This chapter discusses the therapeutic options for patients who are non-responders to interferon therapy.