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Kato D, Choy RWY, Canales E, Dick RA, Lake AD, Shapiro ND, Chin E, Li J, Zhang JR, Wu Q, Saito RD, Metobo S, Aktoudianakis E, Schroeder SD, Yang ZY, Glatt DM, Balsitis S, Gamelin L, Yu M, Cheng G, Delaney WE, Link JO. Discovery of Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen Suppressor GS-8873. ACS Med Chem Lett 2024; 15:546-554. [PMID: 38628802 PMCID: PMC11017420 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.4c00037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus infection afflicts hundreds of millions of people and causes nearly one million deaths annually. The high levels of circulating viral surface antigen (HBsAg) that characterize CHB may lead to T-cell exhaustion, resulting in an impaired antiviral immune response in the host. Agents that suppress HBsAg could help invigorate immunity toward infected hepatocytes and facilitate a functional cure. A series of dihydropyridoisoquinolizinone (DHQ) inhibitors of human poly(A) polymerases PAPD5/7 were reported to suppress HBsAg in vitro. An example from this class, RG7834, briefly entered the clinic. We set out to identify a potent, orally bioavailable, and safe PAPD5/7 inhibitor as a potential component of a functional cure regimen. Our efforts led to the identification of a dihydropyridophthalazinone (DPP) core with improved pharmacokinetic properties. A conformational restriction strategy and optimization of core substitution led to GS-8873, which was projected to provide deep HBsAg suppression with once-daily dosing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darryl Kato
- Gilead
Sciences, Foster City, California 94404, United States
| | | | - Eda Canales
- Gilead
Sciences, Foster City, California 94404, United States
| | - Ryan A. Dick
- Maze
Therapeutics, South
San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - April D. Lake
- Gilead
Sciences, Foster City, California 94404, United States
| | | | - Elbert Chin
- Gilead
Sciences, Foster City, California 94404, United States
| | - Jiayao Li
- Gilead
Sciences, Foster City, California 94404, United States
| | | | - Qiaoyin Wu
- Gilead
Sciences, Foster City, California 94404, United States
| | - Roland D. Saito
- Gilead
Sciences, Foster City, California 94404, United States
| | - Sammy Metobo
- Circle
Pharma, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | | | | | - Zheng-Yu Yang
- Gilead
Sciences, Foster City, California 94404, United States
| | - Dylan M. Glatt
- 23andMe
Therapeutics, South
San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Scott Balsitis
- Gilead
Sciences, Foster City, California 94404, United States
| | - Lindsay Gamelin
- Gilead
Sciences, Foster City, California 94404, United States
| | - Mei Yu
- Gilead
Sciences, Foster City, California 94404, United States
| | - Guofeng Cheng
- AusperBio
Therapeutics Inc., San Mateo, California 94401, United States
| | | | - John O. Link
- Gilead
Sciences, Foster City, California 94404, United States
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2
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Farag MS, van Campenhout MJH, Sonneveld MJ, Fung S, van Erpecum KJ, Wong DK, Verhey E, de Man R, De Knegt RJ, Brouwer JT, Baak HC, Feld JJ, Liem KS, Boonstra A, Hansen BE, Janssen HLA. Addition of PEG-interferon to long-term nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy enhances HBsAg decline and clearance in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B: Multicentre Randomized Trial (PAS Study). J Viral Hepat 2024; 31:197-207. [PMID: 38243144 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
We studied whether 48 weeks of PEG-IFN alfa-2a add-on increases HBsAg-decline and clearance in HBeAg-negative patients on long-term nucleo(s)tide analogue (NA) therapy. In this investigator-initiated, randomized, controlled trial conducted in Europe and Canada, HBeAg-negative patients treated with NA > 12 months, with HBVDNA < 200 IU/mL, were enrolled. Patients were randomized 2:1 to 48 weeks of PEG-IFN alfa-2a add-on (180 μg per week) or continued NA-monotherapy with subsequent follow-up to Week 72. Endpoints were HBsAg decline (≥1 log10 IU/mL) and HBsAg clearance at Week 48. Of the 86 patients in the modified-intention-to-treat analysis, 58 patients received PEG-IFN add-on, and 28 continued NA monotherapy. At Week 48, 16(28%) patients achieved HBsAg decline ≥1 log10 in the add-on arm versus none on NA-monotherapy (p < .001), and HBsAg clearance was observed in 6 (10%) PEG-IFN add-on patients versus 0% NA-monotherapy (p = .01). HBVRNA was only detected in 2% after PEG-IFN treatment versus 19% in NA-monotherapy (p = .002) at Week 48. PEG-IFN add-on therapy was well tolerated in majority of patients. Low baseline HBsAg levels (<10 IU/mL) identified patients most likely to achieve HBsAg loss with PEG-IFN add-on, whereas an HBsAg level > 200 IU/mL at on-treatment Week 12 was highly predictive of non-response (NPV = 100%). Addition of PEG-IFN to long-term NA enhanced HBsAg decline and increased the chance of HBsAg clearance in HBeAg-negative patients on long-term NA. On-treatment HBsAg levels >200 IU/mL identify patients unlikely to benefit from PEG-IFN add-on and could be used as a potential stopping-rule for PEG-IFN therapy. Our findings support further exploration of immune modulation add-on to antiviral therapy, preferably using response-guided strategies, to increase functional cure rates in patients with CHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina S Farag
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Margo J H van Campenhout
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - M J Sonneveld
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Scott Fung
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karel J van Erpecum
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - David K Wong
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elke Verhey
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert de Man
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert J De Knegt
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes T Brouwer
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Reinier de Graaf Groep, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Hubertus C Baak
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jordan J Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kin Seng Liem
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - André Boonstra
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bettina E Hansen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Harry L A Janssen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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3
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Huang M, Gao Y, Liao D, Ma Y, Li J, Tang B, Hao Y, Zhang X, Yin S, Jiang X, Li J, Yin X, Li Y, Hu J, Liu Z. Effect of prophylactic antiviral intervention on T cell immunity in hepatitis B virus-infected pregnant women. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:392. [PMID: 37245038 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05700-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antiviral intervention in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected pregnant women can effectively reduce mother-to-child transmission. However, the immunological characteristics of pregnant women with chronic HBV infection and the effects of antiviral intervention during pregnancy on maternal immune response remain unknown. We aimed to investigate these effects by comparing mothers who received antiviral intervention during pregnancy with those who did not. METHODS Pregnant women positive for hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B e-antigen (HBsAg+ HBeAg+) were enrolled at delivery, including 34 received prophylactic antiviral intervention during pregnancy (AVI mothers) and 15 did not (NAVI mothers). T lymphocyte phenotypes and functions were analysed using flow cytometry. RESULTS At delivery, maternal regulatory T cell (Treg) frequency in AVI mothers was significantly higher than that in NAVI mothers (P < 0.002), and CD4+ T cells in AVI mothers displayed a decreased ability to secrete IFN-γ (P = 0.005) and IL-21 (P = 0.043), but an increased ability to secrete IL-10 and IL-4 (P = 0.040 and P = 0.036), which represented a higher Treg frequency, enhanced Th2 response and suppressed Th1 response. Treg frequency among AVI mothers was correlated negatively with serum HBsAg and HBeAg levels. After delivery, the ability of CD4+ T cells or CD8+ T cells to secrete IFN-γ or IL-10 was similar and no significant difference in Treg frequency was found between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Prophylactic antiviral intervention during pregnancy has an effect on T cell immunity in pregnant women, which was characterised by increased maternal Treg frequency, enhanced Th2 response and suppressed Th1 response at delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiting Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yunfei Gao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zengcheng Branch of Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 511340, China
| | - Dandan Liao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yanchen Ma
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Jinna Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Bo Tang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yaohua Hao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Xuelian Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Shimin Yin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Xiaohuan Jiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Jialin Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Xueru Yin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yongyin Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Jing Hu
- Department of Nosocomial Infection Administration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, China.
| | - Zhihua Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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4
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Brakenhoff SM, de Knegt RJ, Oliveira J, van der Eijk AA, van Vuuren AJ, Hansen BE, Janssen HLA, de Man RA, Boonstra A, Sonneveld MJ. Levels of Antibodies to Hepatitis B Core Antigen Are Associated With Liver Inflammation and Response to Peginterferon in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B. J Infect Dis 2022; 227:113-122. [PMID: 35599306 PMCID: PMC9796168 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emerging evidence suggests a pivotal role for B-cell responses in the natural history of chronic hepatitis B. Serum levels of antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) vary across infection stages, but their role in predicting response to antiviral therapy is uncertain. METHODS Anti-HBc levels were assessed before peginterferon (PEG-IFN) therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B who either started de novo PEG-IFN (n = 299; 195 hepatitis B e antigen [HBeAg] positive) or started PEG-IFN as add-on to an existing nucleo(s)tide analogue backbone (n = 91; all HBeAg-positive). Associations were explored between anti-HBc and (1) serum biomarkers, (2) liver histological findings, and (3) treatment response. RESULTS We studied 390 patients. The hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype were A, B, C, and D in 24%, 9%, 16%, and 49%, respectively; 72% of patients were Caucasian. Among currently untreated HBeAg-positive patients, anti-HBc was correlated with HBV DNA, hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and HBV RNA, but not with alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Higher anti-HBc was associated with more severe histological inflammatory activity (P < .001), irrespective of HBeAg status. After de novo PEG-IFN, higher anti-HBc levels were associated with HBeAg loss, sustained response, HBsAg decline, and HBsAg clearance (P < .050). Among patients treated with add-on PEG-IFN, higher anti-HBc was associated with HBeAg loss (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS Serum anti-HBc levels correlate with histological inflammatory activity. Higher anti-HBc levels were associated with favorable treatment outcomes. These findings suggest that anti-HBc could be used to select patients most likely to respond to immunomodulatory therapy. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NCT00114361, NCT00146705, NCT00877760, and NCT01532843.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia M Brakenhoff
- Correspondence: Sylvia M. Brakenhoff, Erasmus MC, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, internal postal address Na-606, Dr.Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, the Netherlands ()
| | - Robert J de Knegt
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jeffrey Oliveira
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Annemiek A van der Eijk
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anneke J van Vuuren
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bettina E Hansen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Harry L A Janssen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Robert A de Man
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - André Boonstra
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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5
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Mo C, Xie S, Liu B, Zhong W, Zeng T, Huang S, Lai Y, Deng G, Zhou C, Yan W, Chen Y, Huang S, Gao L, Lv Z. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 limits hepatic inflammatory cells recruitment and promotes bile duct ligation-induced liver fibrosis. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:16. [PMID: 33414436 PMCID: PMC7791029 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-03277-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a course of chronic liver dysfunction, can develop into cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Inflammatory insult owing to pathogenic factors plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) can affect the infiltration of immune cells in many pathology processes of diseases, but its role in liver fibrosis has not been elucidated completely. Here, the markedly elevated protein IDO1 in livers was identified, and dendritic cells (DCs) immune-phenotypes were significantly altered after BDL challenge. A distinct hepatic population of CD11c+DCs was decreased and presented an immature immune-phenotype, reflected by lower expression levels of co-stimulatory molecules (CD40, MHCII). Frequencies of CD11c+CD80+, CD11c+CD86+, CD11c+MHCII+, and CD11c+CD40+ cells in splenic leukocytes were reduced significantly. Notably, IDO1 overexpression inhibited hepatic, splenic CD11c+DCs maturation, mature DCs-mediated T-cell proliferation and worsened liver fibrosis, whereas above pathological phenomena were reversed in IDO1-/- mice. Our data demonstrate that IDO1 affects the process of immune cells recruitment via inhibiting DCs maturation and subsequent T cells proliferation, resulting in the promotion of hepatic fibrosis. Thus, amelioration of immune responses in hepatic and splenic microenvironment by targeting IDO1 might be essential for the therapeutic effects on liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan Mo
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuwen Xie
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Emergency, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Medical College, Jinan University, 510220, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weichao Zhong
- Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, No.1, Fuhua Road, Futian District, 518033, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Zeng
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Sha Huang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuqi Lai
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanghui Deng
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuying Zhou
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Weixin Yan
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuyao Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaohui Huang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Shock and Microcirculation, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhiping Lv
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
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