Novel viral markers for the management of patients with chronic HBV
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Novel viral markers for the management of patients with chronic hepatitis B infection: predicting treatment response and clinical outcomes
IRAS ID
217824
Contact name
Bo Wang
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
KCH R&I Office
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of liver disease including
liver cirrhosis and primary liver cancer. Patients with chronic HBV infection may be
treated either with a finite course of interferon injections or longer-term oral antiviral medication. The goal of treatment is to suppress HBV levels in the liver and reduce the long-term risk of liver disease. Treatment response is defined by reduction of HBV DNA levels in blood until undetectable, and/or loss of certain virus proteins such as HBV e antigen (HBeAg) or surface antigen (HBsAg). Viral markers, such as HBsAg level, can be used to monitor response to treatment and even predict outcomes.This project looks at two new viral markers, namely HBV RNA (an intermediate form of
viral genetic material) and HBV core-related antigen (HBcrAg, an amalgam of viral
proteins). Both are detectable in varying levels in the blood of patients with chronic HBV infection. They are thought to be better markers of HBV replication and viral protein production. The main aim of this project is to assess the validity of these markers in a large number of patients under the Viral Hepatitis Service at King's College Hospital. We will initially use samples from patients who are HBeAg positive (a phase of active virus replication) and have been treated with oral antivirals. We will be investigating the change in HBV RNA and HBcrAg levels in response to antiviral treatment, and if the markers can predict treatment outcome.This project is the first in the UK to be looking at these new viral markers. If validated,HBV RNA and HBcrAg have the potential to improve our management of patients with chronic HBV infection, by accurately predicting response to existing treatments.
REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/0551
Date of REC Opinion
22 Mar 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion