Module

Point/Counterpoint: Interferon or Nucleoside/Nucleotide Analogues as First-Line Therapy for Hepatitis B?

Faculty:

E. Jenny Heathcote, MD, MRCP, FRCP(C) Marion G. Peters, MD

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Describe optimal management of chronic HBV using interferons or nucleosides as first-line.

• Compare the advantages and disadvantages of interferon and nucleoside therapy for treating HBV patients.

• Review recent studies of interferon and peginterferon as well as nucleosides and nucleotides supporting their use in HBeAg-positive and -negative patients.

Content includes:

• Interferon as First-Line Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis B
• Outcome Measures of Response to Antiviral Therapy for Hepatitis B
• Standard Interferon Therapy in HBeAg-Positive Disease: Short-Term Goals
• Standard Interferon Therapy in HBeAg-Positive Disease: Long-Term Goals
• Standard Interferon Therapy in HBeAg-Negative Disease
• Pegylated Interferon for HBeAg-Positive Disease
• Pegylated Interferon for HBeAg-Negative Disease
• The Benefits of Interferon Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis B
• The Need to Control Viral Replication Life Long
• Nucleoside/Nucleotide Analogues as First-Line Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis B
• Limitations of Interferon Therapy
• Nucleoside/Nucleotide Analogue Therapy
• Nucleosides/Nucleotides and Liver Histology