Introduction

Excerpt

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, a significant source of liver-related morbidity and mortality, has reached endemic proportions in the Asia-Pacific region. When left untreated, chronic hepatitis B (CHB) can lead to progressive liver damage, culminating in cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a substantial number of patients. In the Asia-Pacific region, CHB remains a serious health problem where most individuals acquire the virus early in life increasing the risk of serious liver-related complications. The burden of disease has spurred efforts to identify patients who require treatment and develop more effective treatment strategies to optimize therapeutic outcomes. Over the last decade, the availability of highly sensitive assays and more potent anti-HBV agents has resulted in a substantial improvement in the management of CHB. These advances have paved the path for the identification of predictors of response and on-treatment monitoring strategies that may lead to more effective or optimal therapeutic outcomes. Additionally, a better understanding of the natural history of the infection has improved the management of special patient populations, including women of childbearing age. …