Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major global health burden and cure is rarely achieved by current antiviral therapies. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new therapeutic options. Immune modulation with the goal to restore dysfunctional HBV-specific immunity is an interesting target for new therapeutic strategies. Based on the current evidence on immunology in resolving and persistent HBV infection, we will review the growing field of immunotherapeutic approaches for treatment of chronic HBV infection. We will also discuss the challenge of a heterogeneous patient population and personalized treatment as a possible key factor of success.
Keywords: Adaptive immunity; CD4+ T-lymphocytes; CD8+ T-lymphocytes; Hepatitis B; Immunotherapy.