ABSTRACT
The incurable chronic infection caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the major health burden worldwide. Covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) exists in the nucleus of infected cells as a stable minichromosome, and when a new therapy realizes inactivation or eliminates persistent cccDNA in infected hepatocytes, the natural process of chronic infection and long-term antiviral therapy will no longer exist. This article introduces the methods targeting cccDNA, such as gene editing and epigenetic modification, so as to achieve the complete cure of HBV infection.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the changes of Th1/Th2 cytokines levels in serum in patients with chronic hepatitis B patients befroe and after treatment of thymosin,and clarify the relationship with state of illness,curative effect and virological response.Methods 19 patients with chronic active hepatitis B were chosen as treatment group,10 cases as normal control group.The patients in treatment group were treated with injection of thymosin ? 1 mL,in the pre-treatment,13 and 21 weeks after treatment the cytokine levels,HBV DNA,and biochemical indicators of liver function were detected by flow cytomertry on Tuesday,Friday every week;in normal control group the serum IL-2,IFN,TNF,IL-4,IL-6,IL-10 indicators were determined and the relationship between cytokine levels and biochemical responses and virological response was analyzed.Results After thymosin treatment,the cytokine levels secreted by Th cells were increased compared with pre-treatment (P