Seeking a Lasting Cure for Hepatitis B

• Approximately 254 million people worldwide live with chronic hepatitis B, leading to 1.1 million deaths annually from cirrhosis and liver cancer.
• While a preventive vaccine exists, no cure is available for those already infected, leaving them on lifelong antiviral treatment.
• EU-funded initiatives, TherVacB and IP-cure-B, are collaborating to develop combination therapies for a "functional cure."

Therapeutic Approaches

• Immune System Training: The TherVacB project is testing a therapeutic vaccine designed to activate antibody and T-cell responses, similar to those in people who naturally clear the virus. Clinical trials are underway in Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, and Tanzania.
• Combination Therapy: The IP-cure-B project focuses on using antiviral drugs to suppress viral levels, followed by therapies to "wake up" the immune system to maintain long-term control. Phase IIa clinical trials have concluded.
• Precision Medicine: Researchers are identifying biological markers in blood and immune profiles to determine which patients will respond best to specific treatment combinations.

Impact and Goals

• The WHO aims to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, requiring a mix of early diagnosis, wider vaccination, and innovative treatments.
• A functional cure could significantly reduce the emotional and social stigma associated with the disease, as well as the long-term risk of severe liver damage.
• Experts emphasize that scientific progress must be supported by broader testing and equitable access to care.