Tenofovir: A new option for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B

Review

(2486) Views  (1174) Full article downloads

Author: Walid S Ayoub

Published Date September 2009 Volume 2009:1 Pages 5 - 10

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/VAAT.S4712

Walid S Ayoub

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA

Abstract: Treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) continues to evolve. Over the last decade, progressively lower levels of serum HBV DNA have been used as a threshold for treatment. A high degree of antiviral potency and a low rate of resistance are the two most important factors in the choice of an agent for therapy of CHB. Achieving rapid viral suppression is also a key factor in choosing the first line of therapy. Swift and potent viral suppression decreases the risk of hepatic decompensation, development of hepatocellular carcinoma and subsequent need for liver transplantation. Currently, entecavir and tenofovir are the most potent nucleoside and nucleotide analogs with the lowest rate of resistance in treatment-naïve patients. This review will evaluate the safety and efficacy of the use of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, the newest agent, for the treatment of patients with CHB.

Keywords: tenofovir, TDF, chronic hepatitis B, resistance, safety