Chronic hepatitis b may result in progressive liver disease that leads to cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Chronic hepatitis B can also be benign and non-progressive, evolving into an inactive carrier state that rarely leads to significant liver injury or HCC. Over the last few years, several highly effective antiviral agents have been developed and approved for use in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Current therapy of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) aims at stopping progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.