HKU launches clinical trial using gene therapy targeting Hepatitis B
發佈日期: 2025-07-10 21:13
TVB News
The Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong has launched a clinical trial using gene therapy to treat hepatitis B.
Patients may not need to take Hep B medicine continuously thanks to the breakthrough method.
Around 400,000 people in Hong Kong are hepatitis B carriers who see an elevated risk of liver-related illnesses.
Notably, around 80 percent of liver cancer deaths in the city are linked to hepatitis B.
The hepatitis B virus integrates into the DNA of liver cells, making it difficult to eradicate, and treatment requires long term antiviral medication.
A clinical drug developed by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong, administered intravenously, uses mRNA-based epigenetic gene therapy.
It's able to modify and suppress the activity level of viral genes inside liver cells, blocking the production of liver-damaging proteins.
The goal is to cut the risks of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.
RICHARD YUEN Chair Professor, Dept. of Medicine (Gastroenterology & Hepatology), HKU:"This gene therapy actually directly targets on the virus gene. And that will hopefully eradicate the virus inside the body."
Professor Yuen said the treatment could replace the continuous intake of medicine.
50-year-old Hep B patient Mr. Cheung is among the first batch of nine participants in the trial which began in March.
After completing his third dose of clinical treatment, Mr. Cheung said the side-effects are similar to symptoms of a cold.
The HKU research team says patients' preliminary results are positive.
They aim to recruit about 40 patients to take part in the trial by the end of next year and hope the drugs will cost less than other mRNA-based medication.
