Why some people's immune systems clear hepatitis B surface antigen
Immune analysis of the HBsAg seroclearance response terminating chronic HBV
This project looks at immune changes in adults with chronic hepatitis B—especially after stopping long-term antiviral treatment—to learn why some people clear the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11235189 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, doctors will collect blood and liver samples and follow you over time, particularly when antiviral therapy is stopped, to see who clears HBsAg. The researchers will compare immune cells and responses in people who clear HBsAg versus those who do not and will run complementary experiments in mouse models that mimic human HBV outcomes. The work focuses on how immune priming in the liver shapes diverse HBV-specific T cell responses linked to clearance. The goal is to use those signals to guide safer, finite treatments that can produce clinical cure for more people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with chronic hepatitis B, particularly those who have been on long-term nucleos(t)ide antiviral therapy and are able to provide blood and liver samples or consider stopping therapy, are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without chronic hepatitis B, children, or those unwilling or unable to provide blood/liver samples or to follow the study schedule are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal immune signals or targets that help more people achieve HBsAg clearance and clinical cure of chronic hepatitis B.
How similar studies have performed: Previous clinical observations and mouse-model work have shown that stopping long-term antivirals can trigger immune re-priming and occasional HBsAg clearance, but the precise immune mechanisms remain unproven and need deeper study.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Baron, Jody L — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Baron, Jody L
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 below.