Impact of integrated viral DNA on the goal to clear hepatitis B surface antigen with different therapeutic strategies
Highlights•Loss of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) from blood is a criterion for
cure.•Current antiviral treatment controls replication but rarely achieves HBsAg
loss.•Persistent HBsAg levels are likely due to expression from integrated viral
DNA.•Therapies that also target integrated DNA are highly demanded.A hallmark of hepatitis
B virus (HBV) infection is the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in the serum of
patients. Sustained loss of HBV DNA and HBsAg from the blood are main goals for …
cure.•Current antiviral treatment controls replication but rarely achieves HBsAg
loss.•Persistent HBsAg levels are likely due to expression from integrated viral
DNA.•Therapies that also target integrated DNA are highly demanded.A hallmark of hepatitis
B virus (HBV) infection is the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in the serum of
patients. Sustained loss of HBV DNA and HBsAg from the blood are main goals for …