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Angelo L, Vaillant A, Blanchet M, Labonté P. Pangenomic antiviral effect of REP 2139 in CRISPR/Cas9 engineered cell lines expressing hepatitis B virus surface antigen. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293167. [PMID: 37910550 PMCID: PMC10619774 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B remains a global health problem with 296 million people living with chronic HBV infection and being at risk of developing cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Non-infectious subviral particles (SVP) are produced in large excess over infectious Dane particles in patients and are the major source of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). They are thought to exhaust the immune system, and it is generally considered that functional cure requires the clearance of HBsAg from blood of patient. Nucleic acid polymers (NAPs) antiviral activity lead to the inhibition of HBsAg release, resulting in rapid clearance of HBsAg from circulation in vivo. However, their efficacy has only been demonstrated in limited genotypes in small scale clinical trials. HBV exists as nine main genotypes (A to I). In this study, the HBsAg ORFs from the most prevalent genotypes (A, B, C, D, E, G), which account for over 96% of human cases, were inserted into the AAVS1 safe-harbor of HepG2 cells using CRISPR/Cas9 knock-in. A cell line producing the D144A vaccine escape mutant was also engineered. The secretion of HBsAg was confirmed into these new genotype cell lines (GCLs) and the antiviral activity of the NAP REP 2139 was then assessed. The results demonstrate that REP 2139 exerts an antiviral effect in all genotypes and serotypes tested in this study, including the vaccine escape mutant, suggesting a pangenomic effect of the NAPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léna Angelo
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique–Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologies, Laval, Canada
| | | | - Matthieu Blanchet
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique–Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologies, Laval, Canada
- Replicor Inc, Montréal, Canada
| | - Patrick Labonté
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique–Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologies, Laval, Canada
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Hwang N, Sun L, Noe D, Lam PYS, Zhou T, Block TM, Du Y. Hepatoselective Dihydroquinolizinone Bis-acids for HBsAg mRNA Degradation. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:1130-1136. [PMID: 34267883 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is characterized by high levels of hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) in blood circulation. A major goal of CHB interventions is reducing or eliminating this antigenemia; however, there are currently no approved methods that can do this. A novel family of compounds with a dihydroquinolizinone (DHQ) scaffold has been shown to reduce circulating levels of HBsAg in animals, representing a first for a small molecule. Reductions of HBsAg were a result of the compound's effect on HBsAg mRNA levels. However, commercial development by Roche of a DHQ lead compound, RG-7834, was stopped due to undisclosed toxicity issues. Herein we report our effort to convert the systemic RG7834 compound to a hepatoselective DHQ analog to limit its distribution to the bloodstream and thus to other body tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicky Hwang
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, United States
| | - Liren Sun
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, United States
| | - Daisy Noe
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, United States
| | - Patrick Y. S. Lam
- Lam Drug Discovery Consulting, LLC, 6 Ridgway Drive, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania 19317, United States
| | - Tianlun Zhou
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, United States
| | - Timothy M. Block
- Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center of Bucks County, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, United States
- Hepatitis B Foundation, Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, United States
| | - Yanming Du
- Medicinal Chemisty, Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, United States
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Abaalkhail FA, Al-Hamoudi WK, Khathlan A, Alghamdi S, Alghamdi M, Alqahtani SA, Sanai FM. SASLT practice guidelines for the management of Hepatitis B virus - An update. Saudi J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:115-126. [PMID: 33976009 PMCID: PMC8265399 DOI: 10.4103/sjg.sjg_539_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains an important public health problem with a high burden worldwide. The Saudi Association for the Study of Liver diseases and Transplantation formed a working group to develop HBV practice guidelines in Saudi Arabia. The methodology used to develop these guidelines was based on reviewing the available evidence, local data, and major international practice guidelines on the management of HBV. The aim of these guidelines is to assist healthcare providers in the management of HBV in Saudi Arabia. These updated guidelines summarize the latest local studies performed on HBV epidemiology, major changes in the prevalence of this virus, and advances in disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faisal A. Abaalkhail
- Gastroenterology Section, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, Al Faisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Waleed K. Al-Hamoudi
- Liver Disease Research Center, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medicine, Liver Transplant Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah Khathlan
- Department of Medicine, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saad Alghamdi
- Department of Medicine, Liver Transplant Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Alghamdi
- Department of Medicine, King Fahd Military Medical Complex, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saleh A. Alqahtani
- Department of Medicine, Liver Transplant Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA
| | - Faisal M. Sanai
- Liver Disease Research Center, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Maepa MB, Bloom K, Ely A, Arbuthnot P. Hepatitis B virus: promising drug targets and therapeutic implications. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2021; 25:451-466. [PMID: 33843412 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2021.1915990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Current therapy for infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) rarely clears the virus, and viremia commonly resurges following treatment withdrawal. To prevent serious complications of the infection, research has been aimed at identifying new viral and host targets that can be exploited to inactivate HBV replication.Areas covered: This paper reviews the use of these new molecular targets to advance anti-HBV therapy. Emphasis is on appraising data from pre-clinical and early clinical studies described in journal articles published during the past 10 years and available from PubMed.Expert opinion: The wide range of viral and host factors that can be targeted to disable HBV is impressive and improved insight into HBV molecular biology continues to provide the basis for new drug design. In addition to candidate therapies that have direct or indirect actions on HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), compounds that inhibit HBsAg secretion, viral entry, destabilize viral RNA and effect enhanced immune responses to HBV show promise. Preclinical and clinical evaluation of drug candidates, as well as investigating use of treatment combinations, are encouraging. The field is poised at an interesting stage and indications are that reliably achieving functional cure from HBV infection is a tangible goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohube Betty Maepa
- School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Kristie Bloom
- School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Abdullah Ely
- School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Patrick Arbuthnot
- School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Itokawa N, Atsukawa M, Tsubota A, Shimada N, Toyoda H, Takaguchi K, Hiraoka A, Senoh T, Koeda M, Yoshida Y, Okubo T, Arai T, Hayama K, Nakagawa-Iwashita A, Kondo C, Iwakiri K. Factors Associated with Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Kinetics and Responses in Pegylated Interferon Alpha-2a Monotherapy for Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B. Intern Med 2021; 60:507-516. [PMID: 33583931 PMCID: PMC7946504 DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.5432-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Pegylated-interferon monotherapy is the standard treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis B; however, the factors associated with its therapeutic effects remain unclear. Methods Patients with chronic hepatitis B were treated with pegylated interferon α-2a for 48 weeks. We evaluated the kinetics of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) during treatment and follow-up periods and the factors associated with an HBsAg response (defined as a change in HBsAg of ≥-1 log IU/mL from baseline). Results The study population comprised 50 patients. The median baseline levels of hepatitis B virus DNA and HBsAg were 5.00 and 3.40 log IU/mL. The median values of HBsAg reduction from baseline were -0.44 (n=48), -0.41 (n=40), and -0.68 (n=11) log IU/mL at the end of treatment and at 48 and 144 weeks post-treatment, respectively. The rates of HBsAg response were 24.0% and 22.5% at the end of treatment and at 48 weeks post-treatment, respectively. A multivariate analysis identified HBsAg <3.00 log IU/mL as an independent baseline factor contributing to the HBsAg response at the end of treatment and 48 weeks post-treatment (p=1.07×10-2 and 4.42×10-2, respectively). There were significant differences in the reduction of the HBsAg levels at 12 weeks of treatment and in the incidence of serum ALT increase during treatment between patients with and without an HBsAg response. Conclusion These findings suggest that the baseline HBsAg level, HBsAg kinetics at 12 weeks of treatment, and ALT increase during treatment are important factors contributing to the HBsAg response in pegylated interferon α-2a monotherapy for patients with chronic hepatitis B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norio Itokawa
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School Chiba Hokusoh Hospital, Japan
| | - Masanori Atsukawa
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School Chiba Hokusoh Hospital, Japan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Japan
| | - Akihito Tsubota
- Core Research Facilities, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Noritomo Shimada
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Otakanomori Hospital, Japan
| | - Hidenori Toyoda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ogaki Municipal Hospital, Japan
| | - Koichi Takaguchi
- Department of Hepatology, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital, Japan
| | - Atsushi Hiraoka
- Gastroenterology Center, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Japan
| | - Tomonori Senoh
- Department of Hepatology, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital, Japan
| | - Mai Koeda
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School Chiba Hokusoh Hospital, Japan
| | - Yuji Yoshida
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School Chiba Hokusoh Hospital, Japan
| | - Tomomi Okubo
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School Chiba Hokusoh Hospital, Japan
| | - Taeang Arai
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School Chiba Hokusoh Hospital, Japan
| | - Korenobu Hayama
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School Chiba Hokusoh Hospital, Japan
| | - Ai Nakagawa-Iwashita
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School Chiba Hokusoh Hospital, Japan
| | - Chisa Kondo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Iwakiri
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Japan
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Alexopoulou A, Vasilieva L, Karayiannis P. New Approaches to the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9103187. [PMID: 33019573 PMCID: PMC7601587 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9103187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The currently recommended treatment for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection achieves only viral suppression whilst on therapy, but rarely hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss. The ultimate therapeutic endpoint is the combination of HBsAg loss, inhibition of new hepatocyte infection, elimination of the covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) pool, and restoration of immune function in order to achieve virus control. This review concentrates on new antiviral drugs that target different stages of the HBV life cycle (direct acting antivirals) and others that enhance both innate and adaptive immunity against HBV (immunotherapy). Drugs that block HBV hepatocyte entry, compounds that silence or deplete the cccDNA pool, others that affect core assembly, agents that degrade RNase-H, interfering RNA molecules, and nucleic acid polymers are likely interventions in the viral life cycle. In the immunotherapy category, molecules that activate the innate immune response such as Toll-like-receptors, Retinoic acid Inducible Gene-1 (RIG-1) and stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonists or checkpoint inhibitors, and modulation of the adaptive immunity by therapeutic vaccines, vector-based vaccines, or adoptive transfer of genetically-engineered T cells aim towards the restoration of T cell function. Future therapeutic trends would likely be a combination of one or more of the aforementioned drugs that target the viral life cycle and at least one immunomodulator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Alexopoulou
- Department of Medicine, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-2132-088-178; Fax: +30-2107-706-871
| | - Larisa Vasilieva
- Department of Medicine, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Peter Karayiannis
- Department of Basic and Clinical Sciences, Medical School, University of Nicosia, Engomi, CY-1700 Nicosia, Cyprus;
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Dusheiko G. Will we need novel combinations to cure HBV infection? Liver Int 2020; 40 Suppl 1:35-42. [PMID: 32077595 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B is a numerically important cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Nucleoside analogue therapy may modify the risk. However, maintenance suppressive therapy is required, as a functional cure (generally defined as loss of HBsAg off treatment) is an uncommon outcome of antiviral treatment. Chronic hepatitis B is a numerically important cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Nucleoside analogue therapy may modify the risk. However, maintenance suppressive therapy is required, as a functional cure (generally defined as loss of HBsAg off treatment) is an uncommon outcome of antiviral treatment. Currently numerous investigational agents being developed to either interfere with specific steps in HBV replication or as host cellular targeting agents, that inhibit viral replication, and deplete or inactivate cccDNA, or as immune modulators. Synergistic mechanisms will be needed to incorporate a decrease in HBV transcription, impairment of transcription from HBV genomes, loss of cccDNA or altered epigenetic regulation of cccDNA transcription, and immune modulation or immunologically stimulated hepatocyte cell turnover. Nucleoside analogue suppressed patients are being included in many current trials. Trials are progressing to combination therapy as additive or synergistic effects are sought. These trials will provide important insights into the biology of HBV and perturbations of the immune response, required to effect HBsAg loss at different stages of the disease. The prospect of cures of hepatitis B would ensure that a wide range of patients could be deemed candidates for treatment with new compounds if these were highly effective, finite and safe. Withdrawal of therapy in short-term trials is challenging because short-term therapies may risk severe hepatitis flares, and hepatic decompensation. The limited clinical trial data to date suggest that combination therapy is inevitable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey Dusheiko
- Kings College Hospital, London, UK.,University College London Medical School, London, UK
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Tao Y, Wu D, Zhou L, Chen E, Liu C, Tang X, Jiang W, Han N, Li H, Tang H. Present and Future Therapies for Chronic Hepatitis B. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1179:137-186. [PMID: 31741336 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-9151-4_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains the leading cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality across the world. If left untreated, approximately one-third of these patients will progress to severe end-stage liver diseases including liver failure, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). High level of serum HBV DNA is strongly associated with the development of liver failure, cirrhosis, and HCC. Therefore, antiviral therapy is crucial for the clinical management of CHB. Current antiviral drugs including nucleoside/nucleotide analogues (NAs) and interferon-α (IFN-α) can suppress HBV replication and reduce the progression of liver disease, thus improving the long-term outcomes of CHB patients. This chapter will discuss the standard and optimization antiviral therapies in treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced patients, as well as in the special populations. The up-to-date advances in the development of new anti-HBV agents will be also discussed. With the combination of the current antiviral drugs and the newly developed antiviral agents targeting the different steps of the viral life cycle or the newly developed agents modulating the host immune responses, the ultimate eradication of HBV will be achieved in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yachao Tao
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Dongbo Wu
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Lingyun Zhou
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Enqiang Chen
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Changhai Liu
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaoqiong Tang
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ning Han
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hong Li
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Hong Tang
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
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Targets and future direct-acting antiviral approaches to achieve hepatitis B virus cure. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 4:883-892. [DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(19)30190-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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