Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a major health issue despite vaccination. European researchers looked into the mechanism of viral replication, aiming to find novel antiviral targets.
Chronic HBV infection is the main cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. There are hundreds of millions of sufferers worldwide, and effective treatment options suppress HBV replication and prevent liver disease progression. Since the immune system does not clear HBV, in most cases viral replication rebounds upon cessation of therapy.
Further details: New strategies for fighting Hepatitis B