The study of immune checkpoint inhibitors in chronic hepatitis B virus infection

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a contagious disease caused by the hepatitis B virus, which can damage the liver via cirrhosis or cancer. Existing CHB treatments are not completely effective; immune checkpoint inhibitors show potential hope for treating CHB, but their safety and efficacy need to be further validated. In this review, we introduce the mechanisms of CHB virus infection, the expression of immune checkpoints during CHB, and the treatments that are currently available. Finally, we discuss the possibilities for using immune checkpoint inhibitors to treat CHB.