Current and future use of antibody-based passive immunity to prevent or control HBV/HDV infections

Adam J Gehring; Loghman Salimzadeh

doi:10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105893

Current and future use of antibody-based passive immunity to prevent or control HBV/HDV infections

Antiviral Res. 2024 Apr 26:226:105893. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105893. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Adam J Gehring¹, Loghman Salimzadeh²

Affiliations

¹ Schwartz-Reisman Liver Research Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. Electronic address: adam.gehring@uhn.ca.
² Schwartz-Reisman Liver Research Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.

PMID: 38679166
DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105893

Abstract

With the increasing momentum and success of monoclonal antibody therapy in conventional medical practices, there is a revived emphasis on the development of monoclonal antibodies targeting the hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis D (HDV). Combination therapies of anti-HBs monoclonal antibodies, and novel anti-HBV compounds and immunomodulatory drugs presenting a promising avenue to enhanced therapeutic outcomes in HBV/HDV cure regimens. In this review, we will cover the role of antibodies in the protection and clearance of HBV infection, the association of anti-HBV surface antigen antibodies (anti-HBs) in protection against HBV and how antibody effector functions, beyond neutralization, are likely necessary. Lastly, we will review clinical data from previous and ongoing clinical trials of passive antibody therapy to provide a state-of-the-are perspective on passive antibody therapies in combinations with additional novel agents.

Keywords: Anti-HBs; Chronic hepatitis B; Hepatitis delta; Monoclonal antibody; Vaccinal effect.

Publication types

Review