Hepatitis B: Experimental models and therapeutic strategies

Abstract

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection remains a significant global health concern, with millions of people worldwide affected by chronic hepatitis B, leading to severe liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the experimental models used to study HBV and the therapeutic strategies currently employed and under development. The review highlights the strengths and limitations of various in vitro and in vivo models, discusses the molecular mechanisms underlying HBV infection and pathogenesis, and explores the advances in antiviral therapies, including nucleos (t) ide analogs, immune modulators, and emerging gene-editing technologies.