OM DENNE EPISODE
In this educational podcast, Paul Kwo, MD discusses how the goals of hepatitis B treatment are changing and what the future may look like for people living with chronic hepatitis B. While current medications do an excellent job of controlling the virus, most patients still need to stay on treatment long term. Dr. Kwo explains the growing focus on achieving a “functional cure,” which means losing the hepatitis B surface antigen—a key milestone that may allow some patients to eventually stop treatment and further reduce their risk of serious liver complications.
Throughout the presentation, Dr. Kwo reviews the benefits of today's hepatitis B therapies, including their ability to keep the virus under control and lower the risk of liver damage. He also discusses why achieving a functional cure is important, not only for reducing the risk of liver cancer but also for improving quality of life and helping patients feel less burdened by their disease.
The video also explores new treatment approaches being studied, how healthcare providers monitor patients over time, and what factors may help identify people who could benefit from future therapies. As hepatitis B research continues to advance, Dr. Kwo shares his perspective on how these developments may bring patients closer than ever to achieving long-term disease control and, potentially, a functional cure.
