Immunopathogenesis and therapeutic vaccine strategies for chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

More than two billions individuals are with serological markers of a recent or past hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Vaccination is the most efficient way to prevent new infections and in this matter, vaccines have been available for more than 30 years. Despite this, 370 millions of individuals are chronic carriers of this virus. Current treatments for chronic hepatitis B do not eliminate the virus but improve significantly the disease. Owing to the major limitations of these antiviral therapies, there is a strong need for novel therapeutic approaches to this major health problem. Stimulation of the host's innate and adaptive immunity in a way that results in the resolution of viral infection is a promising approach. A better understanding of the virus-host interaction in acute and chronic HBV infection revealed several possible targets for immunotherapy. In the present review we will discuss the current state of the art in HBV therapeutic vaccines.