Taiwan researchers find way to predict hepatitis B virus activity
2010/07/24 21:13:02
Taipei, July 24 (CNA) Taiwanese researchers have found a way to "customize" treatments for individual hepatitis B patients by predicting the activity of the virus, according to the head of the research team Saturday.
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The study, which analyzed cases of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections reported in the past 17 years, found two intercellular mediators in the immune system that can "predict" HBV activity, said Wu Jia-feng, a pediatrician at National Taiwan University Hospital.
In chronic HB patients, the team found, there is a higher concentration of the mediators -- known as interleukin-10 and interleukin-12 -- which trigger the HB antigen (HBeAg) earlier than in those with a lower concentration of the mediators.
Wu explained that when a patient tests positive for HBeAg it means the virus is reproducing, while a negative result means the immune system has suppressed the hepatitis B virus.
The goal of HB treatments has been to "turn the HBeAg negative," Wu said.
Existing anti-viral drugs have not been very effective in the treatment of HB patients, as only 20 percent to 30 percent have shown signs of improvement after taking the drugs for one year, Wu said.
The intercellular mediators could be a factor in the ineffectiveness of the drugs, he added.
The study was published in the U.S.-based Gastroenterology journal in January. (By Chen Ching-fang and Elizabeth Hsu) enditem /pc作者: 走遍四方 时间: 2010-7-26 08:50