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Advanced Strategies for Eliminating the cccDNA of HBV

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Abstract

Persistent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection of hepatocytes is associated with a covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) episome. Although serologic hepatitis B surface antigen tests are negative, the presence of cccDNA is obviously increased in HBeAg-positive patients compared with that in HBeAg-negative patients, inactive carriers and patients. Moreover, trace cccDNA levels can also be found in the liver cells of patients with resolved hepatitis B infections. Therefore, clearance of cccDNA in hepatocytes could be an effective cure for HBV. In this review, we summarize the strategies that have been employed to eliminate cccDNA in recent years and discuss the future development of treatments for chronic hepatitis B.

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  1. Jingwu Dong and Jie Ying have contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology, Xuyi People’s Hospital, 28 Hongwu Road, Xuyi, 211700, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China

    Jingwu Dong

  2. Department of Clinical Research Center, Xuyi People’s Hospital, 28 Hongwu Road, Xuyi, 211700, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China

    Jie Ying, Xiaoyan Qiu, Yu Lu & Miaomiao Zhang

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  1. Jingwu Dong
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JD and JY compiled the complete draft and modification of the manuscript. XQ and YL provided critiques on the work and then finalized the article prior to submission. The corresponding author, MZ, was responsible for communication with the editor.

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Correspondence to Miaomiao Zhang.

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Dong, J., Ying, J., Qiu, X. et al. Advanced Strategies for Eliminating the cccDNA of HBV. Dig Dis Sci 63, 7–15 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-017-4842-1

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