Investigating how certain hepatitis B virus mutants evade the immune system
Official title: Explore hepatitis B virus preS2 mutants as immune escape mutants
Funded at Rhode Island Hospital · NIH-10738780 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at certain changes in the hepatitis B virus that might help it avoid the immune system, especially in people with long-term infections, to better understand how these changes affect the virus's ability to infect liver cells and how they interact with antibodies, which could help improve treatment for patients, particularly those with liver cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rhode Island Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | November 10, 2022 |
| Project end | October 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $205,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI173729-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10738780 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with chronic hepatitis B infections, particularly those who may have liver cancer or are at risk for developing it.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have cleared hepatitis B infections or do not have chronic liver disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding specific mutants of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) that may help the virus evade the immune response, particularly in patients with chronic infections. The study will explore how these mutants affect the virus's ability to infect liver cells and how they interact with antibodies that typically neutralize the virus. By examining these mutants in cell cultures, researchers aim to uncover the mechanisms behind their immune escape and their prevalence in liver cancer patients compared to those with milder liver diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing and treating hepatitis B virus infections and associated liver cancers.
How similar studies have gone: While the exploration of immune escape mutants in HBV is a critical area of research, this specific approach to studying preS2 mutants is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Where this research is happening
-
Rhode Island Hospital
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Jisu — Rhode Island Hospital
- Study coordinator: Li, Jisu
Related research
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-
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.