The recent advance of direct anti-HBV drug candidates in clinical trials

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious global public health problem. Chronic hepatitis B virus infection can cause health problems such as cirrhosis, liver metabolism disorders and hepatocellular carcinoma. Nucloes(t)ide analogues and interferon drugs used to treat chronic HBV infection do not completely eradicate covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and integrated genome of HBV DNA, so that they cannot achieve the functional cure of chronic HBV infection. Currently, a series of drugs targeting the phases of HBV lifecycle and immunomodulators have entered clinical trials. Here, we review the current status of the therapeutic drugs as well as the recent advance of direct antiviral agents.