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Experimental hepatitis B drug might offer ‘functional cure’ for a subset of patients
The six-month shot regimen beat dummy treatment, and analysts said a 15% to 20% response could support broad adoption.
- On Thursday, researchers reported that an experimental hepatitis B drug, bepirovirsen, achieved a "functional cure" in about 20% of patients, allowing them to stop treatment without viral rebound.
- Chronic hepatitis B affects more than 250 million people worldwide and kills about 1.1 million annually because the virus hides in the body, ready to rebound when standard lifelong therapy stops.
- The trials included 1,838 participants who received weekly bepi injections for six months; GSK vice president Melanie Paff said the drug suppresses viral replication by binding to genetic components and stimulating the immune system.
- Dr. Seng Gee Lim of the National University Health System of Singapore called the results unprecedented, while Dr. Anna Lok of the University of Michigan wrote the findings "represent a major step" in treatment.
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is conducting fast-track review with a decision expected in October, while regulators in Japan, China, and Europe are also considering the drug.
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Experimental hepatitis B drug might offer ‘functional cure’ for a subset of patients - The Boston Globe
In two international studies, about 1 in 5 patients given the experimental drug saw their virus reduced to levels low enough for the immune system to keep in check.
·Boston, United States
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Experimental hepatitis B drug may offer 'functional cure' for some patients
A first-of-its-kind drug for hepatitis B is letting some patients stop treatment without showing signs of the dangerous liver virus, what’s called a “functional cure,” researchers reported Thursday.In two international studies, about 1 in 5 patients given the experimental drug saw their virus reduced to levels low enough for the immune system to keep in check.“We have not had a treatment which has come to this level of cure,” Dr. Seng Gee Lim of…
·Orlando, United States
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Total News Sources22
Leaning Left6Leaning Right3Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 33%
C 50%
R 17%
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