chronic hepatitis b
Hepatitis clinical trials address viral hepatitis (B and C), alcoholic hepatitis, and autoimmune hepatitis β€” distinct conditions with different mechanisms and treatment approaches. Hepatitis C has been effectively cured in clinical trial populations since 2013 with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens achieving >95% cure rates, and current trials focus on the remaining hard-to-treat groups: genotype 3 with cirrhosis, treatment-experienced patients, and real-world implementation. Hepatitis B research is now centered on achieving functional cure β€” sustained viral suppression after finite treatment β€” rather than indefinite suppression.
Active trials investigate capsid assembly modulators (CAMs), RNA interference agents (JNJ-73763989, AB-729), immune modulators (toll-like receptor agonists, PD-1 checkpoint therapy) for HBV functional cure, next-generation DAA combinations for remaining HCV challenges, and corticosteroid-sparing regimens for autoimmune hepatitis. Hepatitis D (delta) trials are notably active following the approval of bulevirtide in Europe.
HBV trials require quantitative HBsAg and HBV DNA levels at baseline; HCV trials confirm genotype and prior treatment history; autoimmune hepatitis trials require liver biopsy and elevated IgG.