Evaluating the HBV Reservoir and Immunological Characteristics in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients

Evaluation of the Intrahepatic Hepatitis B Virus Reservoir and Its Immunological Characteristics in Chronically HBV-infected Patients - Pilot Study

Not applicable Interventional Hospices Civils de Lyon · NCT06047093

This study is trying to understand how the hepatitis B virus hides in the liver and affects the immune system in people with chronic hepatitis B to help find better treatments.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorHospices Civils de Lyon Academic / other
Locations1 site (Lyon)
Trial IDNCT06047093 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the intrahepatic compartment of patients chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) using fine needle aspiration (FNA) techniques. It aims to understand the immunological and virological interactions that contribute to the persistence of HBV, particularly focusing on covalently-closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in hepatocytes. By creating a serum biobank and assessing the feasibility and acceptability of the FNA procedure, the study seeks to gather critical data that could inform the development of new treatments aimed at achieving a functional cure for HBV.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adult patients aged 18 and older who are chronically infected with HBV, regardless of their treatment status.

Not a fit: Patients with decompensated cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, or those co-infected with HCV or HIV may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved treatment strategies that may result in a functional cure for chronic hepatitis B.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of investigating intrahepatic HBV reservoirs is relatively novel, similar studies have shown promise in understanding viral persistence and developing targeted therapies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult patients (≥ 18 years of age)
* Patients chronically infected with hepatitis B virus at any stage of infection
* Nucleoside Analogues-treated or untreated
* Co-infected or not with HDV
* Included in the prospective CirB-RNA study (part of the CirB-RNA university research program) (ID-RCB : 2018-A02558-47, NCT03825458)
* Patient informed of the study and having signed a consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant, parturient or breast-feeding women,
* Patients with decompensated cirrhosis
* Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (suspected or proven),
* Liver transplant patients (even if liver transplantation for HBV),
* Patients co-infected with HCV (positive serum viral load) and/or HIV (regardless of serum viral load).
* Patients participating at the time of inclusion in an interventional study
* Persons under psychiatric care,
* Persons admitted to a health or social institution for purposes other than research
* Adults under legal protection (legal guardianship, tutorship, curatorship)
* Persons not affiliated to a social security scheme or beneficiaries of a similar scheme.
* Patients with abdominal skin lesions and/or infections.
* Contraindication to lidocaine administration (allergy or hypersensitivity to the product).

Where this trial is running

Lyon

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Chronic Hepatitis bHepatitis BHBVcccDNAfunctional cureFNAHBsAg
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.