Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Sun Woong Kim, Jun Sik Yoon, Minjong Lee, Yuri Cho
Summary: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious global public health problem, and there is currently no complete cure. The focus of recent research has been on achieving a functional cure for HBV through combination therapies and immunomodulators. New therapeutic approaches and clinical trials are being conducted to find a long-lasting cure for HBV infection.
CLINICAL AND MOLECULAR HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Man-Fung Yuen, Seng-Gee Lim, Robert Plesniak, Keiji Tsuji, Harry L. A. Janssen, Cristina Pojoga, Adrian Gadano, Corneliu P. Popescu, Tatyana Stepanova, Tarik Asselah, Gheorghe Diaconescu, Hyung Joon Yim, Jeong Heo, Ewa Janczewska, Alexander Wong, Nevin Idriz, Michio Imamura, Giuliano Rizzardini, Koichi Takaguchi, Pietro Andreone, Manuela Arbune, Jinlin Hou, Sung Jae Park, Andrei Vata, Jennifer Cremer, Robert Elston, Tamara Lukic, Geoff Quinn, Lauren Maynard, Stuart Kendrick, Helene Plein, Fiona Campbell, Melanie Paff, Dickens Theodore, B-Clear Study Grp
Summary: Bepirovirsen treatment for 24 weeks at a dose of 300 mg per week resulted in sustained loss of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV DNA in 9%-10% of patients with chronic HBV infection. Larger and longer trials are needed to assess the efficacy and safety of bepirovirsen.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Virology
Yang Shi, Zihan Wang, Shengxiang Ge, Ningshao Xia, Quan Yuan
Summary: The HBcAg is a highly immunogenic antigen and the anti-HBc is traditionally considered as a serological marker of HBV infections. However, recent studies have shown the predictive value of quantitative anti-HBc level in the treatment response and clinical outcome of chronic HBV infections. This review summarizes the clinical values of qAnti-HBc in differentiating CHB phases, predicting treatment response, and providing disease prognosis.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xiaomi Li, Jingyan Wang, Xiaoyan Ding, Yawen Xu, Minghua Yu, Hongxiao Wu, Na Deng, Wei Li, Jinglong Chen
Summary: The clinical efficacy of lenvatinib was compared between hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related HCC. The study found that patients with HBV-HCC had higher objective response rate and disease control rate compared to HCV-HCC, but there were no significant differences in progression-free survival and overall survival between the two groups. Multivariate regression analysis identified HBV infection and antiviral time > 5 years as independent favorable factors for progression-free survival. Overall, lenvatinib seemed to be more effective in HBV-related HCC compared to HCV-related HCC.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Samuel Anthony Lachlan Hall, Sara Vogrin, Olivia Wawryk, Gareth S. Burns, Kumar Visvanathan, Vijaya Sundararajan, Alexander Thompson
Summary: A meta-analysis was conducted on clinical outcomes after nucleot(s)ide analogue (NA) discontinuation for HBeAg-negative CHB patients, revealing that virological relapse is common but clinical relapse occurs in only one-third of patients at 12 months post-NA discontinuation. Discontinuation of NA therapy can lead to HBsAg clearance, with higher rates observed with longer follow-up periods.
Review
Microbiology
Carla E. Gallardo-Flores, Che C. Colpitts
Summary: Cyclophilins play important roles in HCV infection, with cyclophilin inhibitor therapy showing effectiveness in reducing viral replication. Recently, cyclophilins have also been identified as host factors for flavivirus infection. Further research is needed to clarify the roles of cyclophilins in flavivirus replication.
Review
Virology
Manasa Suresh, Stephan Menne
Summary: Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a global burden, and finding a cure for this viral disease is challenging. Animal models play a crucial role in studying gene expression and viral inhibition, and are significant for clinical trials.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Hye-Lin Kim, Gi-Ae Kim, Jae-A Park, Hye-Rim Kang, Eui-Kyung Lee, Young-Suk Lim
Summary: This study found that starting antiviral therapy in the immune-tolerant phase is more cost-effective compared with delaying treatment until the active hepatitis phase in CHB patients, especially with increasing hepatocellular carcinoma risk, decreasing drug costs, and consideration of productivity loss.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Bingqin Tan, Mei Liu, Liming Wang, Jinhuan Wang, Fang Xiong, Xuli Bao, Yao Gao, Lele Yu, Jun Lu
Summary: The study suggests that the dynamic fluctuations of serum microRNAs could predict the efficacy of antiviral therapy for CHB. There were differences in the expression levels of microRNAs between responder and non-responder groups at baseline and after therapy, with some microRNAs correlated with hepatitis B virus DNA titer and e antigen.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Jordan J. Feld, Anna S. Lok, Fabien Zoulim
Summary: Current therapy for chronic hepatitis B rarely achieves a functional cure, but novel treatments are being developed. Understanding the mechanisms of hepatitis B virus persistence has helped identify new treatment targets and evaluate novel agents in clinical trials. Combining different agents appears to be a promising strategy to reduce viral replication, invigorate immune responses, and induce specific adaptive immune responses.
CLINICAL GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Hye Won Lee, Young Eun Chon, Beom Kyung Kim, Terry Cheuk-Fung Yip, Yee-Kit Tse, Grace Lai-Hung Wong, Vincent Wai-Sun Wong, Henry Lik-Yuen Chan, Sang Hoon Ahn
Summary: Patients with chronic hepatitis B in the immune-tolerant phase defined by age and HBV-DNA criteria of the AASLD guideline do not have a significant risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma. Further validation studies are required to confirm these findings and evaluate the long-term prognosis.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Adam J. Gehring, Patricia Mendez, Kirsten Richter, Hildegund Ertl, Eric F. Donaldson, Poonam Mishra, Mala Maini, Andre Boonstra, Georg Lauer, An de Creus, Kathleen Whitaker, Sara Ferrando Martinez, Jessica Weber, Emily Gainor, Veronica Miller
Summary: This paper discusses the importance of developing clinically applicable immunological biomarkers to evaluate the mechanism of action in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, and to guide rational treatment strategies and drug use. Immune assays must be incorporated into clinical trials, with deeper immunological analysis provided by ancillary studies. Standardizing immunological assays and data will provide deployable biomarkers for clinical use independent of specialized immunology laboratories.
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Rani Burm, Panagiota Maravelia, Gustaf Ahlen, Sandra Ciesek, Noelia Caro Perez, Anna Pasetto, Stephan Urban, Freya Van Houtte, Lieven Verhoye, Heiner Wedemeyer, Magnus Johansson, Lars Frelin, Matti Sallberg, Philip Meuleman
Summary: This study demonstrates the immunogenicity and effectiveness of preS1-HDAg immunotherapy in preventing HBV and HDV infections both in vitro and in vivo. The vaccine can complement current and future therapies for the control of chronic HBV and HDV infection.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Po-Yao Hsu, Yu-Ju Wei, Po-Cheng Liang, Jia-Jung Lee, Sheng-Wen Niu, Jiun-Chi Huang, Cheng-Ting Hsu, Tyng-Yuan Jang, Ching- Huang, Yi-Hung Lin, Ming-Yen Hsieh, Meng-Hsuan Hsieh, Szu-Chia Chen, Chia-Yen Dai, Zu-Yau Lin, Shinn-Cherng Chen, Jee-Fu Huang, Jer-Ming Chang, Ming-Lun Yeh, Chung-Feng Huang, Yi-Wen Chiu, Shang-Jyh Hwang, Wan-Long Chuang, Ming-Lung Yu
Summary: Hemodialysis patients are at increased risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This study found that hemodialysis patients with HCV exhibited a higher burden of comorbidities, especially in ischemic heart diseases, respiratory disorders, and mental/behavioral disorders, compared to patients with HBV and those without viral hepatitis.
JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Mathematics, Applied
John B. H. Njagarah, Farai Nyabadza, Moatlhodi Kgosimore, Cang Hui
Summary: The study focused on the dynamics of HBV and HCV infections in the liver and blood cells, considering immune responses and antiviral therapy. Results suggest that highly effective antiviral therapy to block virion production is crucial in containing infections.
APPLIED MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTATION
(2021)
Editorial Material
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Antonio Bertoletti, Carolina Boni
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Leo Swadling, Mariana O. Diniz, Nathalie M. Schmidt, Oliver E. Amin, Aneesh Chandran, Emily Shaw, Corinna Pade, Joseph M. Gibbons, Nina Le Bert, Anthony T. Tan, Anna Jeffery-Smith, Cedric C. S. Tan, Christine Y. L. Tham, Stephanie Kucykowicz, Gloryanne Aidoo-Micah, Joshua Rosenheim, Jessica Davies, Marina Johnson, Melanie P. Jensen, George Joy, Laura E. McCoy, Ana M. Valdes, Benjamin M. Chain, David Goldblatt, Daniel M. Altmann, Rosemary J. Boyton, Charlotte Manisty, Thomas A. Treibel, James C. Moon, Lucy van Dorp, Francois Balloux, Aine McKnight, Mahdad Noursadeghi, Antonio Bertoletti, Mala K. Maini
Summary: Research suggests that some individuals can clear potential SARS-CoV-2 infection after exposure, with T cells playing a role in the process. Studying healthcare workers who tested negative for antibodies revealed that they had stronger and more diverse memory T cells, with a focus on RTC.
Letter
Hematology
Bernice Ling Zhi Oh, Nicole Tan, Ruklanthi de Alwis, Kamini Kunasegaran, Zhiwei Chen, Michelle Poon, Esther Chan, Jenny G. H. Low, Allen Eng Juh Yeoh, Antonio Bertoletti, Nina Le Bert
Editorial Material
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Antonio Bertoletti
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Joey Ming Er Lim, Anthony Tanoto Tan, Nina Le Bert, Shou Kit Hang, Jenny Guek Hong Low, Antonio Bertoletti
Summary: Nasal-resident T cells specific for SARS-CoV-2 were detected in vaccinated individuals only after infection, highlighting the significance of nasal challenge in the formation of antiviral immunity at the site of infection.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Antonio Bertoletti, Nina Le Bert, Anthony T. Tan
Summary: This review summarizes the evidence supporting the role of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells in disease protection and analyzes the different factors that may influence the magnitude, function, and anatomical localization of these T cells, as well as their impact on protecting the host from severe COVID-19 development.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Antonio Bertoletti, Nina Le Bert, Anthony T. Tan
Summary: The emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 lineages that can escape antibodies has reduced the protection provided by Spike-specific antibodies. As a result, T cells have taken on a more central role in containing viral replication and spread.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Editorial Material
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Antonio Bertoletti, Nina Le Bert
Letter
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Antonio Bertoletti, Nina Le Bert, Anthony T. Tan, Carolina Boni, Paola Fisicaro, Carlo Ferrari, Kyong-Mi Chang, Adam J. Gehring, Georg Lauer, Mala Maini, Robert Thimme, Christoph Neumann-Haefelin
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Meiyin Lin, Sebastian Chakrit Bhakdi, Damien Tan, Joycelyn Jie Xin Lee, David Wai Meng Tai, Andrea Pavesi, Lu-En Wai, Tina Wang, Antonio Bertoletti, Anthony Tanoto Tan
Summary: This study developed a microscopy-based assay to quantify circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and demonstrated that IDRA HBV-TCR T cells can lyse free-floating HBV-HCC cells in whole blood in the presence of immunosuppressive drugs.
IMMUNOTHERAPY ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Virology
Anthony T. Tan, Joey Ming Er Lim, Antonio Bertoletti
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Anthony Tanoto Tan, Fanping Meng, Jiehua Jin, Ji-Yuan Zhang, Si-Yu Wang, Lei Shi, Ming Shi, Yuanyuan Li, Yunbo Xie, Li-Min Liu, Chun-Bao Zhou, Alicia Chua, Zi Zong Ho, Junqing Luan, Jinfang Zhao, Jing Li, Lu-En Wai, Sarene Koh, Tingting Wang, Antonio Bertoletti, Fu-Sheng Wang
Summary: The study demonstrates the feasibility of using messenger RNA HBV-TCR-redirected T cells for treating patients with HBV-HCC, resulting in long-term clinical benefits. However, further validation is needed to assess the reliability and longevity of immune monitoring.
HEPATOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Letter
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Anthony T. Tan, Nina Le Bert, Antonio Bertoletti
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Haiyan Ma, Tien Huey Lim, Apinya Leerapun, Martin Weltman, Jidong Jia, Young-Suk Lim, Pisit Tangkijvanich, Wattana Sukeepaisarnjaroen, Yun Ji, Nina Le Bert, Dong Li, Yao Zhang, Robert Hamatake, Nicole Tan, Chunming Li, Simone Strasser, Huiguo Ding, Jung-Hwan Yoon, Nigel H. Stace, Tanvir Ahmed, Dave E. Anderson, Li Yan, Antonio Bertoletti, Qing Zhu, Man-Fung Yuen
Summary: BRII-179, alone or with a low dose of interferon-alpha, was safe, well tolerated, and induced enhanced HBV-specific antibody and T-cell responses in patients with chronic hepatitis B. However, BRII-179 treatment alone had minimal effect on patient's virological status.
Article
Immunology
Nina Le Bert, Wan Ni Chia, Wei Yee Wan, Alvin Kuo Jing Teo, Samuel Zeng-Rong Chong, Nicole Tan, Doreen Soek Chin Tan, Adeline Chia, Iain Beehuat Tan, Kamini Kunasegaran, Qin Xuan Chua, Mohammad Yazid Abdad, Aven Shan Hua Ng, Shawn Vasoo, Julian Xiao-Li Ang, Mao Sheng Lee, Louisa Sun, Jinyan Fang, Feng Zhu, Alex R. Cook, Tar Choon Aw, Jingxiang Huang, Clarence Tam, Fong Sin Lee, Hannah Clapham, Enan Jun-Kang Goh, Monica Socheata Suor Peou, Shiow Pin Tan, Siew Kim Ong, Lin-Fa Wang, Antonio Bertoletti, Li Yang Hsu, Biauw Chi Ong
Summary: The study found that humoral and cellular immunity against SARS-CoV-2 persists for differing lengths of time in those with mild disease, with significant heterogeneity in T cell and antibody levels within the same population.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2021)