Liver Lineup: Advances, Gaps, and What’s Next in Viral Hepatitis
In this episode of Liver Lineup: Updates and Unfiltered Insights , hosts Nancy Reau, MD, and Kimberly Brown, MD, tackle a paradox that continues to define viral hepatitis care: despite curative therapies for hepatitis C and highly effective suppression for hepatitis B, global and domestic elimination goals remain out of reach. The conversation reframes viral hepatitis not as a “finished” chapter in hepatology, but as an ongoing public health challenge shaped by missed screening, gaps in linkage to care, and uneven adoption of evidence-based interventions. Key episode timestamps: 0:00:00 – Hepatitis elimination gaps; dialysis-unit success; primary-care screening barriers. 0:04:30 – Statins in HBV/HCV: reduced HCC/decompensation; safety in compensated disease. 0:08:41 – GLP‑1 agonists: improved liver outcomes and cancer/cardiometabolic profile; safety concerns addressed. 0:13:21 – HBV functional cure and Bepi: niche role, durability, small but meaningful responder group. 0:19:28 – HBV/HDV: disease severity; new mAb + siRNA regimen; comparison with existing options; access issues. 0:23:28 – Bulevirtide durability data; real‑world compassionate-use case with recompensation and early HCC.