Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus( HBV) often leads to the development of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer,creating immense sociological,clinical,and economic burdens worldwide. Although current anti-HBV drugs can control the disease progression,they often fail to eliminate the virus because of the presence of covalently closed circular DNA( ccc DNA) in the hepatocyte nucleus. We review the research advances in therapeutic strategies against ccc DNA from the aspects of interfering with ccc DNA synthesis,promoting ccc DNA degradation,and silencing ccc DNA. Targeting ccc DNA is a promising approach that may lead to a cure of chronic HBV infection.
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