Treatment with the Immunomodulator AIC649 in Combination with Entecavir Produces Antiviral Efficacy in the Woodchuck Model of Chronic Hepatitis B.

ABSTRACT: As current interventions for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) rarely induce cure, more effective drugs are needed. Short-term treatment of woodchucks with the novel immunomodulator AIC649, a parapoxvirus-based stimulator of toll-like receptor 9 dependent and independent pathways, has been shown to reduce viral DNA and surface antigen via a unique, biphasic response pattern. The present study evaluated long-term AIC649 treatment in combination with Entecavir for potency and safety in woodchucks. AIC649 monotreatment induced modest reductions in serum viral DNA and surface and e antigens that were associated with the same biphasic response pattern previously observed. Entecavir monotreatment reduced transiently viremia but not antigenemia, while AIC649/Entecavir combination treatment mediated super

SUBMITTER: Korolowicz KE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8069054 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature