Alanine aminotransferase normalization with antiviral therapies in hepatitis B

Abstract

Currently, one-third of the world's chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers are in China. Therefore, it is important to develop treatment strategies that can accomplish virological suppression and improve clinical outcomes for China's huge HBV-infected population. Studies have shown that alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels are significantly associated with the progression of liver disease, incidence of liver complications as well as an important indicator for deciding whether to initiate anti-HBV treatment. Clinically, antiviral therapy is usually only considered when the ALT level is greater than 2 times the upper limit of normal. However, a normal or low and elevated level of ALT does not mean that there is no change in liver tissues status. Several studies have suggested that normal or low and elevated levels of ALT are significantly associated with the progression of liver disease. In this context, if the level of ALT is considered as one of the mandatory requirements for the indication of anti-HBV therapy, many patients may be neglected and delayed in treatment, suggesting that the anti-HBV treatment threshold should be considered. Now, from the above discussion, this article mainly summarizes the guiding significance of ALT level in anti-HBV treatment and the value of ALT normalization in the state of illness and clinical prognosis, and also compares the difference of ALT normalization rates among different anti-HBV drugs for chronic hepatitis B patients. Besides this, it also states the limitations of current indications for anti-HBV therapy, so as to provide reference for improving the indications.