Speaker
Description
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infects hepatocytes, the cells making up to 80% of the human liver mass. HBV infection disorders cellular function of these cells that eventually leads to liver cancer and high mortality of the host. Despite of the availability of prophylactic vaccine, HBV infection remains a major global health issue with more than 240 million people chronically infected worldwide. The current treatment choices are based on pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and nucleos(t)ide analogues. These agents can efficiently reduce HBV DNA levels by inhibiting viral replication and/or immunomodulation, however, the rate of viral elimination that can be hallmarked by the loss of viral antigens is quite low.
We analyse clinical data of decay profiles of 48 chronic hepatitis B patients treated with the nucleos(t)ide analogues, entecavir (ETV) or lamivudine (LVD). During the course of treatment, the levels of three viral products were measured in patient sera: HBV DNA, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and core-related antigen (HBcrAg). The data was processed through a mathematical model in order to estimate the disease dynamics. Our data shows that the levels of some viral products measured prior to treatment can serve as predictors of the treatment outcome. These evidences are useful for clinicians to provide better clinical management of chronic hepatitis B.
The presentation of this project will be held in animated 3D movie format.
