HIV and Hepatitis.com is providing a link to a new CME program with special emphasis on the mechanisms of action of experimental agents for HBV and HCV and the emerging data from clinical trials of these agents. All visitors to HIV and Hepatitis.com are invited to review the text of this program, but only clinicians may receive CME credit.

Supported by a grant from Idenix and Novartis Pharmaceuticals and sponsored by AdvancMed, this new CME program is based on a satellite symposium held during the Hep Dart 2005 conference in Hawaii (December 11-15, 2005).

Chronic viral hepatitis-an important risk factor for hepatic insufficiency, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and death-affects millions of persons worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, more than 350 million persons (1.25 million in the United States) are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and another 170 million (2.7 million in the United States) are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Although standards of care exist for the management of each of these chronic viral infections, viral resistance and patient intolerance-along with efforts by both the National Institutes of Health and consumer advocacy groups-have spawned a myriad of investigations in search for improved and more individualized therapeutic regimens.

Clinical trial progress thus far-along with better understanding of viral dynamics-has engendered optimism among healthcare providers and patients alike. These emerging findings also challenge clinicians, researchers, and scientists to stay abreast of the rising tide of treatment strategies on the horizon.

The goal of this satellite symposium-intended for scientific investigators and for clinicians who treat patients infected with HBV or HCV-is to provide participants with an understanding of current and future challenges in the management of chronic viral hepatitis among adults. Special emphasis will be placed on the mechanisms of action of investigative agents and the emerging data from clinical trials of these agents. Link to CME Program.