Abstract
Hepatitis B virus infection is one of the most frequent causes of chronic liver disease worldwide. Even though a preventive vaccine is available, the search for a cure for chronically infected patients remains a high priority to reduce the morbidity and mortality from liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This review summarizes the immune response in acute, self-limited and chronic hepatitis B; its differential effects on viral replication and liver injury; and prospects for immunotherapy.
MeSH terms
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Antibody Formation
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Antiviral Agents / immunology
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Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
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Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / etiology
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Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / virology
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Hepatitis B Vaccines / therapeutic use*
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Hepatitis B, Chronic / complications
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Hepatitis B, Chronic / immunology*
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Hepatitis B, Chronic / pathology*
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Humans
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Immunity, Cellular
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Immunotherapy
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Liver Cirrhosis / etiology
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Liver Cirrhosis / virology
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Liver Neoplasms / etiology
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Liver Neoplasms / virology
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Virus Replication*
Substances
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Antiviral Agents
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Hepatitis B Vaccines