Literature Review: Role of Pharmacogenetics in the Treatment of HBV

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious and in some cases life threatening infection accounting for numerous deaths annually The virus can be transmitted through sexual contact or exchange of bodily fluids. Progression to a chronic infection is age dependent with 90% of newborns of HBeAg-positive mothers developing a chronic infection. The risk is lowest with adults, with only <5% of adults progressing into a chronic infection. The goal of treatment is to prevent disease progression and further chronic HBV related complications like cirrhosis, hepatic failure, and cancer. The 2018 AASLD practice guidelines recommends the following preferred drugs: Pegylated interferon alpha 2a, Entecavir, Tenofovir dipivoxil fumarate, Tenofovir alafenamide in treatment of chronic Hepatitis B (CHB). There are several other non-preferred drugs used to treat CHB infection. The aim of this study was to review the current published literature recommending use based on genetic test results. Ongoing research has shown that pharmacogenomics can play a pivotal role in treatment efficacy and safety of HBV medications.