Advances in Pathophysiology of Hepatitis B Virus for 2024

In recognition of May 19 as World Hepatitis Testing Day and the month of May as Hepatitis Awareness Month, we are launching our latest HCPLive Special Report, which spotlights a conversation between subject matter experts on updates and unmet needs in the management of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 2024.

Although not discussed with the same frequency and urgency as hepatitis C (HCV) within public health circles, HBV represents a significant impact to public health globally and within the US, where an estimated 2.4 million are chronically infected, because unlike with HCV, there is no cure for these chronically infected patients. However, like HCV, the ongoing opioid crisis in the US has contributed to ballooning rates of acute hepatitis B infection in recent years and only 25% of infected individuals receive a diagnosis, according to the Hepatitis B Foundation.

The first in our 6-part series, this segment opens with introductions from our 3 subject matter experts, which is followed by a discussion on updates in pathophysiology and how they have influenced current care strategies for HBV. In the conversation, Nancy Reau, MD, explains how recent advancements have clarified the virus's lifecycle, which has contributed to the development of new diagnostics that, while not yet fully available in clinical practice, are poised to significantly enhance treatment by identifying better therapeutic targets and monitoring treatment success. Andrew Talal, MD, adds to the discussion by highlighting the importance of the updated World Health Organization and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Talal stresses the significance of expanded treatment eligibility, particularly for adolescents and adults, broader antiviral treatment options, and the role of enhanced diagnostics in improving patient outcomes.

This conversation sets the stage for a detailed exploration of the latest therapeutic strategies and the most pressing unmet needs in the fight against hepatitis B, providing valuable insights for clinicians and researchers committed to advancing care in this field.

In this 6-part discussion, our group of experts tackles the following topics:

• Advances in Pathophysiology of Hepatitis B Virus
• Implications of HBV DNA Integration on Care
• Improving Hepatitis B Screening and Vaccination
• Therapeutic Pipeline Updates in Hepatitis B Virus
• Discussing Unmet Needs in Hepatitis B
• Role of Advocacy, Patient Voice in Hepatitis B Virus

Panelists:

• Chari Cohen, DrPH, MPH (Moderator): President of the Hepatitis B Foundation.
• Nancy Reau, MD: Richard B. Capps Chair of Hepatology, Associate Director of Solid Organ Transplantation, and Section Chief of Hepatology at Rush University Medical Center.
• Andrew Talal, MD: Professor of Medicine and Founder/Director of the Center for Research and Clinical Care in Liver Disease at the State University of New York at Buffalo - School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.