Pursue excellence of clinical research on chronic hepatitis B in China

In China universal vaccination program against hepatitis B virus( HBV) in newborns has led to a dramatic decline in HBs Ag prevalence from 9. 75% in 1992 to 7. 18% in 2006. However,it is estimated that there are still around 90 million patients with chronic HBV infection,including 20- 30 million with chronic hepatitis B( CHB). As recommended therapies,interferons and nucleos( t) ide analogues can effectively suppress HBV replication and thereby halt the progression of liver disease. Unfortunately,the current standard of care could not cure CHB in most cases. Developing direct antiviral agents targeting the specific steps of HBV life cycle or immunotherapy against the key steps of immune response to HBV infection will ultimately enable us to cure CHB. Chinese hepatologists have published more and more papers on HBV prevention and management,with the aim of optimizing current modalities and exploring new therapies. Adopting the public health policy to improve the accessibility and affordability of preventive and therapeutic drugs and increase the coverage of vaccination and standardized treatment is the most effective means to reduce the enormous health and socioeconomic burden of HBV- related diseases.