title: Global strategies are required to cure and eliminate HBV infection.
abstract: Chronic HBV infection results in >1 million deaths per year from cirrhosis and liver cancer. No known cure for chronic HBV exists, due in part to the continued presence of transcriptionally active DNA in the nucleus that is not directly targeted by current antiviral therapies. A coordinated approach is urgently needed to advance an HBV cure worldwide, such as those established in the HIV field. We propose the establishment of an International Coalition to Eliminate Hepatitis B Virus (ICE-HBV) to facilitate the formation of international working groups on HBV virology, immunology, innovative tools and clinical trials: to promote awareness and education as well as to drive changes in government policy and ensure funds are channelled to HBV cure research and drug development. With the ICE-HBV in place, it should be possible to enable a HBV cure within the next decade.
authors.affiliation: Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria, 3010 Australia.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Revill
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research Center of Lyon, INSERM U1052 and CNRS 5286, Lyon University, and Hospices Civils de Lyon, 151 Cours Albert Thomas, 69003 Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Testoni
authors.affiliation: Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria, 3010 Australia.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Locarnini
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research Center of Lyon, INSERM U1052 and CNRS 5286, Lyon University, and Hospices Civils de Lyon, 151 Cours Albert Thomas, 69003 Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Fabien
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zoulim
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000191:economics; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D014943:Global Health; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D012109:Research Support as Topic
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents