The reduction in CD8+PD-1+ T cells in liver histological tissue is related to Pegylated IFN-α therapy outcomes in chronic hepatitis B patients

A Systematic Review of the Advances in the Study of T Lymphocyte Suppressor Receptors in HBV Infection: Potential Therapeutic Targets

Background: HBV-specific T lymphocytes are pivotal in eliminating the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and regulating intrahepatic inflammatory reactions. Effective T cell responses curtail HBV infection; however, compromised immunity can result in persistent infection. Beyond the acute phase, the continued presence of antigens and inflammation leads to the increased expression of various inhibitory receptors, such as PD-1, CTLA-4, Tim-3, LAG3, 2B4, CD160, BTLA, and TIGIT. This escalates the dysfunction of and diminishes the immune and proliferative abilities of T cells. Methods: In this study, we reviewed English-language literature from PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus up to 9 July 2023. This paper aims to elucidate the inhibitory effects of these receptors on HBV-specific T lymphocytes and how immune function can be rejuvenated by obstructing the inhibitory receptor signaling pathway in chronic HBV patients. We also summarize the latest insights into related anti-HBV immunotherapy. Result: From 66 reviewed reports, we deduced that immunotherapy targeting inhibitory receptors on T cells is a reliable method to rejuvenate T cell immune responses in chronic HBV patients. However, comprehensive combination therapy strategies are essential for a functional cure. Conclusions: Targeting T cell suppressor receptors and combining immunotherapy with antiviral treatments may offer a promising approach towards achieving a functional cure, urging future research to prioritize effective combination therapeutic strategies for chronic HBV infection.

The Connection between MiR-122 and Lymphocytes in Patients Receiving Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection

New molecular predictors for the response to treatment in HBV (hepatitis B virus) infection are assessed. Among them is miR-122. Our article searches the connection between miR-122 and the counts of lymphocytes in chronic HBV patients receiving treatment. We included the sera of 38 Romanian subjects with chronic HBV infection (20 receiving treatment and 18 not receiving treatment) and 5 healthy controls. The expression of miR-122 was determined using RT-PCR (real-time PCR) and a 2-ΔΔCT method. Two systematic analyses were also performed on databases (PUBMED, Web of Science, and Science Direct), eliminating systematic reviews, editorials, letters to editors, meta-analyses, reviews, conference proceedings, or pre-print manuscripts. We included human-based articles following the PRISMA criteria and the Newcastle Ottawa Assessment Scale for Case-Control and Cohort studies. R 4.2.2 was used for statistics, and MIENTURNET and STRING were used for the bioinformatic analysis. Our results showed a link between the variations in the expression of miR-122 and the counts of lymphocytes in HBV Romanian patients receiving therapy. Treatment influenced miR-122 and the lymphocyte numbers. This is the first study with these results, and it may lead to a new perspective on the inter-relationships between microRNAs and therapy in HBV patients.

Prognostic impact of hepatitis B virus infection in patients with primary cervical cancer

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been associated with an increased risk of a few malignancies. However, the prognostic impact of HBV infection remains unclear in cervical cancer.

Objective

To explore the association between HBV infection and survival outcomes of patients with primary cervical cancer, using overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) as primary endpoints.

Methods

This analysis was performed retrospectively with newly diagnosed cervical cancer patients admitted to the Department of Gynecologic Oncology at the Sun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen University from June 2013 to October 2019, who were enrolled and followed up. The Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazard analysis were used to examine the performance of HBV infection in predicting OS and DFS.

Results

Patients were followed up for a median of 37.17 months (95% CI, 34.69–39.65). Among the 695 patients, 87 (12.5%) were serologically positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and 276 (39.7%) had a prior history of HBV infection. There was no significant difference between HBsAg‐positive group and HBsAg‐negative patients concerning OS or DFS. Multivariate analysis showed prior HBV infection was an independent favorable prognosticator for OS (HR, 0.335; 95% CI, 0.153–0.0.734; p = 0.006) and DFS (HR, 0.398; 95% CI, 0.208–0.691; p = 0.002).

Conclusion

We provide the first clinical evidence that suggests prior HBV infection as an independent favorable prognostic factor for patients with primary cervical cancer.