Future Perspectives of Liver Research in the Asia-Pacific Region: Focus on Hepatitis B and C

Abstract

The Asia-Pacific region faces serious liver health challenges, primarily because of the comparatively high prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, as well as the increasing disease burden of metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), alcohol-associated liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite MASLD being the cause with the highest growth rate worldwide, chronic HBV or HCV infection remains a prominent cause of HCC in the Asia-Pacific region. Despite widespread vaccination and the use of oral nucleos(t)ide analogs, the risk of HCC persists in patients with chronic HBV infection, and a customized surveillance program for HCC should be implemented. Because there are currently no effective vaccinations for chronic HCV infection, universal screening and link-to-care with appropriate costs for direct-acting antivirals are required. Furthermore, patients with chronic HCV infection who have achieved a sustained virological response (SVR) are still at risk of developing HCC, even if HCV eradication with antivirals significantly lowers that risk. Identifying candidates for whom HCC surveillance is consistently necessary, using surrogate indicators and risk classification, should be investigated. Targeted multidisciplinary research is required to address these issues. Finally, combining data science and biotechnology with artificial intelligence applications in healthcare can improve therapeutic and diagnostic results, particularly in regions with limited resources.