Surrogate Markers for Hepatitis B Virus Covalently Closed Circular DNA

Thomas Tu; Florian van Bömmel; Thomas Berg

doi:10.1055/a-1830-2741

Seminars in Liver Disease, Table of Contents

Semin Liver Dis 2022; 42(03): 327-340
DOI: 10.1055/a-1830-2741

Review Article

Surrogate Markers for Hepatitis B Virus Covalently Closed Circular DNA

Authors

Thomas Tu

¹Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Clinical School and Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia

²Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney at Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
Florian van Bömmel

³Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
Thomas Berg

³Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany

Abstract

Chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most common causes of liver disease worldwide. Chronic HBV infection is currently incurable because of the persistence of the viral template for the viral transcripts, covalently closed circular deoxyribonucleic acid (cccDNA). Detecting changes in cccDNA transcriptional activity is key to understanding fundamental virology, determining the efficacy of new therapies, and deciding the optimal clinical management of HBV patients. In this review, we summarize surrogate circulating biomarkers that have been used to infer cccDNA levels and activity in people with chronic hepatitis B. Moreover, we outline the current shortcomings of the current biomarkers and highlight the clinical importance in improving them and expanding their use.

Keywords

Covalently Closed Circular DNA - viral persistence - biomarkers - liver cancer - liver disease

Full Text

References

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