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“Summary.  Whilst virally attenuated clotting factor concentrates are now safe with respect to transmission of HBV and HIV there are many individuals with haemophilia who were infected many years ago by these viruses. New combination therapies are available for treating both these virus infections and efficacy rates are increasing. Although many of the clinical studies are initially undertaken in non-haemophilia individuals, consideration needs to be given as to the possible benefits of including those with haemophilia in the clinical assessment. While chronic Staurosporine purchase viral infections produce therapeutic challenges, in the areas of hepatitis B and HIV, advances in treatment are being reported which improve

the outlook of those affected. For those with responsibility for developing and licencing new treatments it is imperative that priority is afforded to enabling individuals with the haemophilias to benefit from these advances. Chronic hepatitis B virus

(HBV) infections remain a major public health problem worldwide PF-562271 in vitro with approximately 350 million chronic carriers. These carriers are exposed to the risk of developing liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) [1]. HBV infection can be acquired via vertical, sexual or blood transmission. Approximately 10% of HIV infected patients are co-infected with HBV. HBV belongs to the hepadnavirus family. The replication of its genome requires a reverse transcription step. Viral persistence is mainly the result of the persistence of a stable closed circular element (cccDNA) in the nucleus of infected hepatocytes [1]. The goal of antiviral therapy is to prevent progression of liver fibrosis and development of HCC [2,3]. To achieve

this goal, prolonged viral suppression is required. Two main classes of drugs have been approved including cytokines (pegylated interferon alpha) and nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUCs) which are viral polymerase inhibitors (lamivudine, adefovir, telbivudine, entecavir and tenofovir). The use of drugs with a high antiviral MCE公司 potency and high barrier to resistance (entevavir and tenofovir) is now recommended. In patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B, administration of pegylated interferon for 48 weeks results in viral suppression in approximately 40% of patients and in HBe seroconversion in 30% of patients. Administration of entecavir or tenofovir results in viral suppression in approximately 70% of patients and in HBe seroconversion in 20% after 1 year, while the rate of viral suppression continues to increase during prolonged treatment beyond 1 year. The end point of therapy in these patients is viral suppression and HBe seroconversion; in this situation, treatment cessation can be considered [2,3]. In patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B, administration of pegylated interferon for 48 weeks results in viral suppression in approximately 60% of patients.