Telbivudine: a new option for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.

Article Details

Citation

Ruiz-Sancho A, Sheldon J, Soriano V

Telbivudine: a new option for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.

Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2007 May;7(5):751-61.

PubMed ID
17477811 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects > 350 million individuals worldwide. Chronic hepatitis B is associated with complications of end-stage liver disease, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. HBV replication is the best predictor of liver disease progression to cancer, and antiviral therapy may diminish or halt this unfavorable outcome. Six drugs have been approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B: interferon-alpha(2b), pegylated interferon-alpha(2a), lamivudine, adefovir, entecavir and telbivudine. Most agents designed to target hepatitis B are hindered by the development of resistance, poor tolerability or limited efficacy; therefore, new agents and treatment strategies are needed. Telbivudine is the latest approved anti-HBV agent; it is an orally administered nucleoside analog that selectively inhibits HBV replication. It has demonstrated potent activity against HBV in Phase III clinical studies, with good tolerance, lack of mitochondrial toxicity and no dose-limiting side effects.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drugs
Drug Targets
DrugTargetKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
TelbivudineDNANucleotideHumans
Yes
Not AvailableDetails
TelbivudineProtein PProteinHBV-F
Yes
Not AvailableDetails