The unique antibody suppresses HBV viremia and reduces hepatocarcinogenesis in HBV-transgenic mice.

There are estimated 248 million individuals worldwide persistently infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), if without timely and effective treatment, about 25%-40% of whom would develop to liver cancer, cirrhosis or other HBV related end-stage liver diseases. Our previously study has reported a unique antibody named E6F6, that recognizes HBsAg-aa119-125 and is capable of prolonged suppression of HBsAg and HBV DNA levels in mice. In this study, data revealed that the consecutive E6F6 treatments can not only effectively inhibit HBV viremia, but also significantly reduce HBV-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in DEN-treated HBV-Tg mice. Thus, this E6F6 mAb-based immunotherapy, used alone or in combination with current anti-viral therapies, may provide a promising pathway for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.