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Serum Hepatitis B Virus RNA: A New Potential Biomarker for Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Shi Liu1, Bin Zhou1,2, Juan D Valdes2

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.

Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.)
|October 27, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Serum HBV RNA shows promise as a non-invasive biomarker for chronic hepatitis B infection, reflecting the activity of the persistent hepatitis B virus (HBV) cccDNA within liver cells.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a leading cause of liver disease globally.
  • Current treatments are limited by the persistence of intrahepatic HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA).
  • Quantifying intrahepatic cccDNA requires invasive liver biopsies, necessitating alternative biomarkers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review the literature on serum HBV RNA.
  • To delineate the molecular and clinical characteristics of serum HBV RNA.
  • To assess the potential of serum HBV RNA as a non-invasive biomarker for HBV infection.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature review of studies on serum HBV RNA.
  • Analysis of reported quantification methods for serum HBV RNA.
  • Comparison of serum HBV RNA with established HBV serological markers and intrahepatic cccDNA.

Main Results:

  • Serum HBV RNA is emerging as a potential biomarker for HBV infection, treatment response, and prognosis.
  • Review summarizes quantification methods and discusses potential HBV RNA species in serum.
  • Correlations between serum HBV RNA, HBV DNA, and other serological markers are analyzed.

Conclusions:

  • Serum HBV RNA holds potential as a non-invasive biomarker reflecting intrahepatic HBV cccDNA activity.
  • Further research is needed to fully establish its clinical utility in managing chronic hepatitis B.
  • Serum HBV RNA may offer insights into HBV infection dynamics and treatment efficacy.

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