title: Recent advances in developing nucleic acid-based HBV therapy.
abstract: Chronic HBV infection remains an important public health problem and currently licensed therapies rarely prevent complications of viral persistence. Silencing HBV gene expression using gene therapy, particularly with exogenous activators of RNAi, holds promise for developing an HBV gene therapy. However, immune stimulation, off-targeting effects and inefficient delivery of RNAi activators remain problematic. Several new approaches have recently been employed to address these issues. Chemical modifications to anti-HBV synthetic siRNAs have been investigated and a variety of vectors are being developed for delivery of RNAi effectors. In this article, we review the potential utility of gene therapy for treating HBV infection.
authors.affiliation: Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, School of Pathology, Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Musa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marimani
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hean
authors.forename: Kristie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bloom
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ely
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Arbuthnot
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D034741:RNA, Small Interfering