Liver specialist Dr. Maurizio Bonacini is on a mission to find a cure for hepatitis B, a prevalent disease that is a leading cause of liver cancer worldwide. Despite being preventable with vaccines and treatable with medication, hepatitis B continues to affect millions of people globally.
According to the World Health Organization, one in three people worldwide has been infected with acute hepatitis B, with babies at a higher risk of developing chronic hepatitis B. If left untreated, the virus can progress to liver cancer, resulting in one in four deaths.
Dr. Bonacini is leading a clinical trial called B-United, which involves 300 chronic hepatitis B patients at 80 sites across 18 countries. The trial aims to find a cure for the disease, as current treatment options only manage symptoms and require lifelong medication.
While awaiting a definitive cure, patients with hepatitis B must take antiviral pills to prevent the virus from rebounding. These medications can have side effects and may lead to drug resistance in some cases. Dr. Bonacini is determined to find a sterilizing cure that eliminates the virus completely, offering patients a chance at a healthier life without the need for constant medication.
As part of the trial, patients receive monthly injections of an investigational drug that targets the surface antigen of the virus. If successful, this treatment could reduce the risk of liver cancer by 80% and allow patients to stop taking antiviral pills.
Dr. Bonacini is also advocating for better prevention and diagnosis of hepatitis B. He highlights the importance of routine screening for the disease, especially among high-risk populations. Despite the availability of vaccines, immigrants entering the U.S. are not required to undergo screening for hepatitis B, which poses a significant public health risk.
One of Dr. Bonacini’s study patients, a San Francisco resident, discovered he had contracted hepatitis B despite receiving a vaccination as a child. Thanks to the ongoing clinical trial, his viral load has become undetectable, and he is no longer contagious. However, he continues to face financial challenges associated with managing his condition and hopes for a permanent cure.
Dr. Bonacini remains optimistic about the future of hepatitis B treatment, collaborating with experts globally to find the most effective drugs. He believes that a cure is within reach and is committed to improving the lives of those affected by this devastating disease.
This article is based on the original content by Jia H. Jung, distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
