Hepatitis B drug may offer 'functional cure' for some patients
Summary
Researchers reported a new drug for hepatitis B that helped some patients reduce the virus to very low levels, allowing their immune system to control it without ongoing treatment. This result is called a "functional cure" and has not been achieved before with hepatitis B treatments.Key Facts
- The drug is the first of its kind for hepatitis B.
- About 20% (1 in 5) of patients treated saw their virus lowered to very low levels.
- Patients who reach these low levels can stop treatment without the virus returning.
- This state is called a "functional cure" because the virus is controlled but not fully eliminated.
- The findings come from two international studies funded by pharmaceutical company GSK.
- Dr. Seng Gee Lim from Singapore helped lead the research.
- The results were shared at a scientific meeting in Barcelona, Spain.
- This drug represents a new level of success in hepatitis B therapy.
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