The Hepatitis B Virus

Photo of hepatitis B viruses
Courtesy of Alfred M. Prince, MD

HBV BACKGROUND:

HBV causes chronic infection and leads to cirrhosis and liver cancer. HBV is transmitted by blood and blood products, contaminated injections, and sexually. About 200 million persons, 1 million in the US, are chronically infected. The prevalence varies between 0.1 and 20% in different parts of the world and is highest in Africa and Asia. Clinical evidence of cirrhosis and/or liver cancer occurs about 20-40 years after infection in about 20% of those infected.

CURRENT THERAPY AND PROPHYLAXIS:

Effective vaccines, composed of plasma or recombinant yeast derived viral surface antigen (HBsAg), are available and are widely used. Unfortunately, cost and other obstacles have prevented their use in most of Africa, where this vaccine is badly needed. Indeed, high cost has even prevented universal application in developed countries. We believe that achievement of universal HBV immunization will require the development of multivalent vaccines which immunize against diverse pathogens. It would be desirable to develop such an approach to HBV vaccine, permitting it to be combined with other vaccines, and thus reducing cost of vaccines and their delivery.

Recent results in Dr Prince’s laboratory have shown effective prevention of both HBV and HCV infections with an affordable vaccine (PolyVax) which immunizes against both viruses.

Treatment of chronic infections is unsatisfactory. Interferon is toxic, terminates infection in only about 30% of cases treated, and is too expensive for use in the developing world. Lamivudine is effective in the short run, but is associated with late failures due to emergence of resistant strains of HBV.

A recent finding from Dr Prince's laboratory has been published in Hepatology, this has provided "proof of principle" indicating that hepatitis B virus replication in chronic infection can be down regulated by immunization (immunotherapy) with a DNA based vaccine followed by a recombinant canarypox booster. We believe that this approach will ultimately provide effective and affordable therapy for HBV and HCV carriers in the developing world.

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Scientific members of HRF and the Chimpanzee Sanctuary are available to lecture on Hepatitis, AIDS Research, and Chimpanzee welfare.

The Foundation thanks Adobe's Gifts in Kind program for their generous contribution.

The Hepatitis Research Foundation would like to thank the Don and Rita Lee Foundation for their continuous support for immunotherapy of chronic HCV infection.

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