Achievements in the prevention and treatment of hepatitis B over the past 30 years and trends of future development
10.3760/cma.j.cn112866-20250320-00065
- VernacularTitle:乙型肝炎防治30年的成绩以及未来发展趋势
- Author:
Minghui LI
1
;
Yao XIE
1
Author Information
1. 首都医科大学附属北京地坛医院肝病二科 首都医科大学HBV感染、临床治愈与免疫联合实验室 北京大学地坛教学医院肝病二科，北京 100015
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Hepatitis B virus;
Vaccine;
Antiviral therapy;
Chronic infection;
Public health
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology
2025;39(4):397-402
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Hepatitis B virus（HBV）infection remains a major global public health challenge. Over the past three decades，significant progress has been made in HBV prevention and control，including the widespread implementation of hepatitis B vaccination and mother-to-child transmission（MTCT）blockade strategies，advancements in antiviral therapies，and improvements in public health awareness. The extensive administration of hepatitis B vaccines has markedly reduced the incidence of new infections. The development of antiviral treatments，such as nucleos（t）ide analogues，has effectively suppressed viral replication，thereby decreased the incidence of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Furthermore，enhanced public health awareness and the implementation of screening programs have enabled earlier diagnosis and treatment for more patients. Nevertheless，the complete elimination of hepatitis B continues to face challenges. Firstly，inadequate vaccine coverage，particularly in low- and middle-income countries，sustains the risk of HBV transmission. Secondly，suboptimal diagnosis and treatment rates persist among individuals with chronic HBV infection. Additionally，the long-term management of chronic HBV carriers remains complex，necessitating continuous monitoring and personalized therapeutic strategies. This article summarizes the major achievements in the prevention and control of hepatitis B over the past 30 years，analyzes current challenges，and explores future directions. Novel vaccines，including therapeutic vaccines and mRNA-based vaccines，are demonstrating therapeutic potential in clinical trials and may offer new hope for chronic hepatitis B patients. Emerging antiviral agents，such as capsid assembly modulators and RNA interference-based therapeutics，which target distinct stages of the HBV life cycle，hold promise for achieving functional cure of hepatitis B. In conclusion，despite ongoing challenges，the complete elimination of hepatitis B remains an attainable goal through sustained innovation and global collaboration.
