APP Roundtable: Future Directions in CHB Research

In this episode, physician assistant Alison Moe, P-C, and Carolyn Legaspi, NP, explore the future of hepatitis B research and management, including promising therapeutic developments and critical care gaps. Together, they discuss the complexity of chronic hepatitis B infection, the global burden of disease, and why achieving a functional cure remains elusive despite current antiviral therapies. The conversation highlights cutting-edge research on therapeutic vaccines—including the first entering Phase 1 clinical trials in early 2024—and the potential role of immune modulators in achieving long-term viral suppression. Carolyn and Alison also address major research challenges, such as targeting HBV’s persistent cccDNA, reaching underserved populations, and the low global treatment rate (only 3% as of 2022). They emphasize the urgent need for improved access to testing, earlier intervention in children and adolescents, and strategies to close gaps in care, especially in high-risk communities. For healthcare providers, this discussion offers valuable insight into the evolving hepatitis B treatment landscape and the ongoing efforts to reduce liver-related morbidity and mortality worldwide.

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