Overview of anti-Hepatitis B virus agents

ABSTRACT

Since the first FDA approval of Lamivudine in 1998, many nucleo(t)side analogs such as Lamivudine, Adefovir, and Entecavir have been used. However, they only inhibit DNA synthesis, and if their administration is stopped a viral breakthrough can develop, making long-term administration necessary, ultimately followed by the development of resistance. Tenofovir has been developed and drug-resistant mutations have decreased significantly, but the problem of resistance due to long-term drug use still remains, along with the drug safety problem. In this review, we introduce the recent trend in the development of hepatitis B treatment agents and the Korea National Research Institute of Health (KNIH) research for the development of a novel treatment for hepatitis B (drug repositioning) without resistance and which targets the various life cycles of HBV.