Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Feb 13, 2025 1 month, 3 days, 14 hours, 36 minutes ago
Medical News: The Growing Challenge of Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B (HBV) remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases worldwide, with an estimated 254 million people living with the virus. Every year, around 1.1 million people die from liver-related complications caused by HBV, such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Current treatments help manage the disease but do not offer a complete cure, making the search for more effective therapies crucial.
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Repurposed Antiretrovirals Show Potential for Hepatitis B Treatment
A new study by researchers from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Africa Health Research Institute, and the University of Lubumbashi has explored the potential of repurposed antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for HBV treatment. Given the shared replication mechanisms between HBV and HIV, scientists believe that certain HIV drugs may also be effective against HBV. This
Medical News report examines the latest findings and the potential role of traditional medicine in HBV therapy.
How Antiretrovirals Work Against Hepatitis B
HBV and HIV both use reverse transcription during their replication processes. Because of this, some ARVs initially developed for HIV are being tested for their effectiveness against HBV. Several ARVs, such as lamivudine (3TC), entecavir (ETV), and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), have already been repurposed for HBV treatment.
Researchers found that these drugs inhibit the HBV DNA polymerase, effectively preventing viral replication. However, challenges remain. Lamivudine, for example, is effective in the short term but leads to high resistance rates when used alone. Tenofovir and entecavir have shown better long-term results but come with potential side effects, including kidney and bone health concerns.
The study also explored newer approaches, such as combining different ARVs to improve effectiveness and reduce resistance. Scientists believe that personalized treatment regimens could optimize the benefits of these drugs while minimizing adverse effects.
The Role of Traditional Medicine in HBV Treatment
In addition to repurposing ARVs, researchers are investigating the potential of traditional medicines as alternative or complementary treatments. Certain plant-based compounds have shown antiviral properties against HBV. For instance, natural extracts from Scutellaria barbata and Oldenlandia diffusa were found to reduce HBV DNA levels and suppress key viral proteins.
Moreover, some traditional remedies may enhance the effectiveness of existing ARVs. A combination of silibinin and conventional HBV treatments demonstrated improved liver function and reduced fibrosis in preclinical studies. The study highlights the need for further clinical trials to determine the safety and efficacy of these natural products.
Potential and Limitations of Repurposed ARVs
Despite promising results, repurposed ARVs are not without limitations. While they can significantly reduce viral replication, they do not completely
eliminate the virus. HBV persists in the liver as covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), allowing it to reactivate if treatment is stopped.
Resistance is another concern. Some patients develop resistance to lamivudine and entecavir over time, requiring a shift to more potent drugs like tenofovir. Additionally, long-term use of ARVs may lead to side effects such as nephrotoxicity, mitochondrial toxicity, and bone mineral density loss.
To overcome these challenges, researchers emphasize the need for combination therapies and alternative approaches, such as integrating traditional medicine with ARVs. Computational drug design is also being explored to identify new drug candidates that target HBV more effectively.
Conclusion
The study underscores the potential of repurposed ARVs as effective treatment options for HBV. While they provide significant benefits in managing the disease, they are not a definitive cure. The combination of ARVs with traditional medicine and novel drug development strategies may pave the way for better treatment outcomes.
Future research should focus on optimizing treatment regimens, minimizing side effects, and exploring new antiviral agents. With continued efforts, the medical community moves closer to more effective and accessible HBV therapies.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/26/4/1523
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Medical News.
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