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• Valentine's Day Advice for Those Looking for Love While Living with Hepatitis B

  Image courtesy of photostock at FreeDigitalPhotos.net. By Christine Kukka Valentine’s Day celebrates love and romance, but when you have hepatitis B, you may fear dating could lead to rejection and heartbreak. Alright, so you had a few unhappy dating experiences because of hepatitis B ... believe me, you’re better off without those people. If hepatitis B hadn’t ended the relationship, it would have been some other issue. Here are two pieces of valuable advice for those looking for love while living with hepatitis B. A leader of the Hepatitis B Information and Support email list recently offered this sage counsel to members who feared they would never date, marry or have children because of their hepatitis B. “As the list mom and a divorced woman who has been dating for the last eight years, I have personal experience with this topic. I have to remind you, having chronic hepatitis B does NOT have to create a barrier to dating. If anything, it can help you determine who is a good partner and will possibly be there for you in the long-term. Image courtesy of Graphics Mouse at FreeDigitalPhotos.net. "Also, and this is the biggie, there is a VACCINE for hepatitis B. If you meet someone you want to have an intimate relationship with, they can be vaccinated (some already are!) "There is no reason to feel as if you are inferior or less deserving of love because of your hepatitis B.  We all want and need acceptance. The only barrier is what you have built in your mind. "Personally, I have been in three long-term relationships since my divorce.  I am currently in a loving relationship with a man who cares about me deeply and has no issues with my hepatitis B. "A word of wisdom from a friend has stuck with me. If someone loves you, they will care about YOUR heath, and make room for ways to keep you in their life. "Don't wall yourself off from the experiences of meeting new people and potential love and partnership with another soul.  Life is too short to be afraid

  http://www.hepb.org/blog/valentines-day-advice-looking-love-living-hepatitis-b/
• A Valuable Tool Against Chronic Hepatitis B Goes Unused in Many Developing Countries

  Image courtesy of tuelekza at FreeDigitalPhotos.net. By Christine Kukka A critical tool that stops the spread of nearly half of all new chronic hepatitis B infections is still unavailable in many developing countries – the hepatitis B vaccine birth dose. When the hepatitis B vaccine is immediately administered to a baby born to a hepatitis B-infected mother, it stops the terrible spread of hepatitis B to a new generation. But this vaccine remains unavailable and financially out-of-reach for many parents in rural areas of Africa, Asia and other regions. “In Ghana, even if parents know where to find the vaccine, the cost sometimes deters them from accessing it,” said Theobald Owusu-Ansah of the Hepatitis B Foundation of Ghana.   “And when midwives help mothers deliver their babies in their homes, they do not have the vaccine with them because it must be refrigerated.” While a global childhood immunization program, sponsored by the global vaccine alliance GAVI, has saved millions of lives, the hepatitis B birth dose remains a critical, missing piece of its otherwise successful global immunization strategy. Image courtesy of africa at FreeDigitalPhotos.net. To effectively prevent mother-to-child (perinatal) transmission of hepatitis B, the single-dose hepatitis B vaccine must be administered within 12 to 24* hours of birth. In about 90 percent of cases, this vaccine effectively prevents infection, unless the mother's viral load is extremely high.** Today, GAVI funds and promotes the pentavalent vaccine, which prevents five diseases including hepatitis B, for nearly all children in developing countries. But here’s the catch, the earliest the first dose of the pentavalent vaccine can be administered is six weeks of age because it contains the diphtheria vaccine. This is far too late to prevent perinatal hepatitis B infection. GAVI’s pentavalent vaccine makes economic and medical sense. One vaccine that prevents several diseases lowers manufacturing and

  http://www.hepb.org/blog/valuable-tool-chronic-hepatitis-b-goes-unused-many-developing-countries/
• Family Getting Together for The Holidays? Time to Talk Hepatitis B and Your Family's Health History

  … insight into this. What effect does gender play? Did women experience liver damage or did it only happen to men? The female hormone estrogen is believed to confer some protection against hepatitis B. It may be that men in your family are at highest risk of liver damage and need more frequent monitoring and earlier treatment. Image courtesy of jk1991 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net. There are other factors besides genes that affect a multi-generational experience of hepatitis B. Did our grandparent who developed liver cancer suffer poor nutrition for extended periods in their country of origin that weakened their immune system? Did the uncle who had cirrhosis also smoke, drink or suffer exposure to chemicals at work? Could a grandparent who died of liver disease eat moldy rice or corn that contained aflatoxin, which severely damages the liver? Taken together, all of these factors give us clues to medical conditions that may run in our families, and this knowledge isn’t limited to just hepatitis B. By identifying family patterns of medical problems such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure or breast cancers, healthcare providers can determine if we and our children are at increased risk of a particular condition. Because knowing your family’s health history is such a powerful tool, the Surgeon General created a free website to help everyone create a portrait of their family’s health at My Family Health Portrait. After completing the questions, the website creates a personalized “family health tree” that can be saved to a home computer. From there, families may update the information any time. The tool can be shared with other family members, who can add their health information to the portrait. It’s also important to share this portrait with your doctor. The Surgeon General has declared Thanksgiving to be National Family Health History Day. But whenever your family gathers for a holiday, ask about their medical history. It just might save your life.

  http://www.hepb.org/blog/family-getting-together-thanksgiving-time-talk-hepatitis-b-familys-health-history/
• Hepatitis B Foundation Expert Timothy Block Predicts Transformational New Therapies for Hepatitis B

  Hepatitis B Foundation President Timothy Block By Christine Kukka For more than 25 years, Timothy Block, Ph.D,, has worked tirelessly to find a cure for hepatitis B, promoting research, writing papers, mentoring students and collaborating with experts around the world to find a cure for the 240 million people living with this deadly liver disease. Today, the cofounder and president of the Hepatitis B Foundation, the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute and the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, is optimistic and believes there are new therapies in sight for those living with chronic hepatitis B. An unprecedented number of researchers are scrutinizing every stage of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication cycle to find its vulnerabilities and develop drugs to permanently disable it. The cure Block wants would completely eradicate the infection so no one would ever wake up worrying about the risk of liver damage or cancer to themselves or a loved one. This global, active march towards a cure is in stark contrast to 1991 when Block began his solitary quest, after a friend’s devastating hepatitis B infection made him rethink his career and start focusing on the liver disease that infects more than one in three people worldwide. Twenty-five years ago, the only available treatment was conventional interferon, which was largely ineffective. The first antiviral, lamivudine, appeared shortly thereafter. It would be one of several to emerge from HIV’s drug arsenal. Since then, more antivirals designed to disrupt HBV’s replication process have been developed that target the polymerase—the essential enzyme needed for HBV replication. “But they are not cures,” Block explained during a recent webinar. “They’re good at reducing viral load (HBV DNA), but they don’t get rid of the virus, and considerable viral DNA and  hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) remain in liver cells.” Nor do current antivirals get rid of the HBV chromosome called cccDNA that embed in liver

  http://www.hepb.org/blog/cure-within-reach-hepatitis-b-foundation-expert-timothy-block-says-yes/
• October is Liver Cancer Awareness Month

  Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net By Christine Kukka In an era of hepatitis B immunization and improved health care, an alarming trend is happening -- liver cancer is increasing and is now the second-leading cause of cancer deaths around the world. This is why it's critical that everyone living with hepatitis B should demand to be screened for liver cancer. There are three key reasons why liver cancer rates remain high: Too few people are tested for hepatitis B, which is why two-thirds of Americans living with hepatitis B don’t know they’re infected. Only 20 percent of doctors follow liver cancer screening guidelines and test at-risk hepatitis B patients for liver cancer. By the time liver cancer is diagnosed, it's often too late for effective treatment. And, screening guidelines themselves are inadequate and fail to use valuable blood tests that help identify liver cancer in its early, treatable stages. Today, the majority of liver cancer cases occur in developing countries, fueled by undiagnosed and untreated hepatitis B. More than 80 percent of these cancers are found in sub-Saharan Africa and Eastern Asia where more than 20 of every 100,000 people will suffer and die from liver cancer. But make no mistake, liver cancer happens in North America and Europe too. Because people aren't effectively screened for hepatitis B and liver cancer, an estimated 10 percent of people with chronic hepatitis B will develop liver cancer in developed countries. Most face a bleak outlook, only 20 percent of people diagnosed with liver cancer survive beyond five years. But you can beat these odds. In celebration of Liver Cancer Awareness Month, we need to insist that our doctors screen us for liver cancer. When diagnosed early, treatment succeeds and survival improves markedly. Medical guidelines that recommend when and how we are tested for liver screening vary dramatically around the world, but most of them are inadequate, according to a recent report.

  http://www.hepb.org/blog/boost-liver-cancer-awareness-reduce-risk-hepatitis-b-related-liver-cancer/
• 300 Million Reasons Movement

  There are currently almost 300 million people living with chronic hepatitis B globally. These are real people and their lives and quality of life are important. 300 Million Reasons is a movement to improve awareness about hepatitis B and liver cancer worldwide, to promote engagement of key stakeholders, and to empower people impacted by hepatitis B to become vocal advocates.  300 Million Reasons is a movement launched by the Hepatitis B Foundation with the goal of giving partners around the world access to important tools to help spread the word about hepatitis B. What can I do to join the movement today? The first step is to access our free social media toolkit. These images are designed to raise awareness about, stop stigma around, promote testing for, and explain different aspects of hepatitis B. Please feel free to download, post, and share widely! Different sizes are available for Facebook/Instagram and Twitter.   Just admitting that there are 300 million reasons to care about hepatitis B makes you part of the movement. Now we just need your help spreading the word. Start with the toolkit, keep it up in conversation in friends, and join the Hepatitis B Foundation in our programs to help make a difference. Work with the Hepatitis B Foundation to make a difference today. 300 Million Reasons to B Informed Get Tested. Hepatitis B Can Be Prevented, Treated, and Managed.   The Hepatitis B Foundation was founded 30 years ago to help people living with hepatitis B. There was almost no information out there for these struggling families at the time. We started out by taking phone calls and now serve people living with hepatitis B through thousands of consults a year, in depth online resources, and research and education to find a cure. Start learning more about hepatitis B here. 300 Million Reasons to B Connected You are not alone! Together, we can foster a collaborative and connected global community united around all things hepatitis B.  The B Connected branch of the 300 Million Reasons movement involves increasing access to clinical trials, expanding global connections to support people living with hepatitis B around the world, establishing international peer mentoring programs, creating a social network for people impacted by hepatitis B, and creating further opportunities for community engagement.  300 Million Reasons to B the Voice Your voice matters! Share your story to empower those with hepatitis B and inspire progress.  The B the Voice branch of the 300 Million Reasons movement is centered largely around international storytelling and elevating the voices of those living with hepatitis B around the world. True change happens with the human element. Stories of discrimination, stigma, screening, diagnosis, treatment, supporting community and family members, personal and larger-scale successes, setbacks and victories - all are important to share and learn about in order to raise awareness, inspire change, and eventually find a cure. Check out our blog post to read more about our B the Voice initiative!  Do you have a story to share? We would love to read it! Use this link to B the Voice of hepatitis B! 300 Million Reasons to B the Change Stand up, speak out! Get involved in putting hepatitis B in the spotlight and moving the cause forward.  The B the Change branch of the 300 Million Reasons movement is focused on patient activism and using this as a tool to advance the cause of increasing knowledge about and support for hepatitis B among legislators and policy-makers. B the Change provides advocacy opportunities, resources, and training for people living with hepatitis B, national and international community ambassadors, and key partners/stakeholders. With knowledge can come action - let’s build a strong grassroots network to spread the word and B the Change to create a world that is Hep B-free.  Are you interested in hepatitis B advocacy? Sign up to join our Action Center and stay tuned for even more ways to get involved and B the Change!        

  https://www.hepb.org/research-and-programs/300-million-reasons-campaign/
• Hep B United Philadelphia

  Hep B United Philadelphia (HBUP) is a local community-owned coalition that was created to increase hepatitis B testing and vaccination in Philadelphia through public awareness and education. Led by the Hepatitis B Foundation, we currently have over 70 coalition partners including the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, university health systems, social service providers, health care professionals, nonprofit advocates, community organizations, and providers of human services to Philadelphia's Asian American, Pacific Islander, and African immigrant communities. We also have the support of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Commission on Asian American Affairs, and the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Asian American Affairs. We are an active member of the national Hep B United coalition. Since 2008, we have reached over 10,000 Philadelphians, provided in‐person education for over 7,500; offered free hepatitis B screening to 4,000; administered over 500 free doses of the hepatitis B vaccine; and found medical homes for 85% of infected individuals in our program! Hep B United Philadelphia is now one of the largest hepatitis B coalitions in the U.S. Our community program for culturally competent hepatitis B screening, vaccination and linkage to care is helping to identify best practices for cities around the U.S Contact us to learn how you can join as a partner to unite against hepatitis B! Read Hep B United Philadelphia's 2022 Annual Report here. 

  https://www.hepb.org/research-and-programs/hep-b-united-philadelphia/
• New Two-Dose HBV Vaccine Recommended by ACIP

  Hepatitis B Foundation Leaders Expect Use of HEPLISAV-B to Increase Immunization Rates in U.S. DOYLESTOWN, PA (February 22, 2018): The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) voted February 21, 2018, to unanimously recommend HEPLISAV-B™ for use among individuals age 18 years and older to prevent hepatitis B infection (HBV). The Hepatitis B Foundation welcomes the use of the new vaccine, which is expected to increase immunization rates for adults in the United States. HEPLISAV-B™ was approved for use by the FDA on July 28, 2017. It is the first new hepatitis B vaccine in more than 25 years, and the only two dose vaccine for the prevention of infection. Previous vaccines for hepatitis B require three doses over the course of six months to protect against this deadly liver infection, and vaccination initiatives have shown that as few as 13% of people who receive the first dose of the vaccine complete the final dose. According to Kate Moraras, Senior Program Director of the Hepatitis B Foundation, who provided public testimony at this morning’s ACIP meeting, “Vaccination is a critical tool towards eliminating hepatitis B, but in the U.S. only 25% of adults are vaccinated. Having a new 2-dose vaccine can help to greatly increase vaccine coverage, especially among those at high-risk for infection, such as people with diabetes and HIV-infected individuals.” More than 257 million people worldwide and up to 2.2 million in the United States are chronically infected with hepatitis B, a virus that can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer in up to 25% of those infected. Hepatitis B is associated with significant health disparities in the U.S., disproportionately affecting Asian American, Pacific Islander, and African communities. In addition, the number of reported cases of acute HBV infection across the country is rising along with the increased use of opioids and injection drugs. Binh Ly, a hepatitis B advocate from Washington. D.C., also provided testimony at the ACIP meeting, stating that “the availability of a two-dose vaccine over 1 month instead of being given as 3 doses over 6 months is a critical tool to protect many more Americans - this is one less barrier for vulnerable and at-risk communities to receive necessary protection.” ACIP is a committee of medical and public health experts who develop recommendations to guide the use of vaccines and develop vaccine schedules for the U.S. ACIP’s new HEPLISAV-B™ recommendation will now be sent to the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for approval. Once approved, the recommendation will be published in an upcoming CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) and will represent an official CDC recommendation for hepatitis B vaccination in the U.S. About the Hepatitis B Foundation The Hepatitis B Foundation is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization solely dedicated to finding a cure for hepatitis B and improving the quality of life for those affected worldwide through research, education and patient advocacy. To learn more, go to www.hepb.org, read our blog at hepb.org/blog, follow us on Twitter @HepBFoundation, find us on Facebook at facebook.com/hepbfoundation or call 215-489-4900. # # #  

  https://www.hepb.org/news-and-events/news-2/new-two-dose-hbv-vaccine-recommended-by-acip/
• Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer Clinical Trials

  NOTE: This section contains only hepatitis B-related liver cancer (HCC) clinical trials, or trials that list both hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatitis B as part of the description. If you are looking for the most up-to-date liver cancer trials, please click here and search for hepatocellular carcinoma and set filters for a more comprehensive list. *CHB=Chronic hepatitis B, Liver cancer=hepatocellular carcinoma or HCC A Study of Molecular Genetic Factors for Liver Cancer in the Greater Baltimore Area – U.S.Patients between the age of 18 & 90 who have been diagnosed with HCC or have a high risk of developing HCC due to chronic hepatitis B or C. Contact: Dr. Dean L. Mann at 410-328-5512, dmann001@umaryland.edu or Dr. Xin Wang at 301-496-2099 or xw3u@nih.gov and refer to identifier – NCT00913757  (Study ID # 999909149, 09-C-N149) Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma – U.S.This is a phase II trial of Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in patients with advanced, unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Contact Dr. Lynn Feun at 305-243-6606 or lfeun@med.miami.edu and refer to identifier NCT02658019. (Study ID # 20151049)  Navitoclax and Sorafenib Tosylate in Treating Patients with Relapse or Refectory Solid Tumors – U.S.This phase I trial studies the side effects and the best dose of navitoclax when given together with sorafenib tosylate in treating patients with solid tumors that have returned (relapsed) or do not respond to treatment (refractory). Navitoclas and sorafenib tosylate may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. For study contact information in each state, region, or country, please go to the study’s description page and find the study location nearest you. The study’s sponsor is The National Cancer Institute (NCI). Refer to the study identifier – NCT02143401. (Study ID # NCI-2014-01043) An Immuno-therapy Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness, Safety, and Tolerability of Nivolumab or Nivolumab in Combination With Other Agents in Patients with Advanced Liver Cancer (CheckMate040) – U.S. and InternationalThis is a three phased study designed to establish the safety of nivolumab at different dose levels for each of the three cohorts (uninfected hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected HCC subjects, and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected subjects), generate additional clinical data at specified doses for each of the 3 cohorts, and compare the efficacy of nivolumab and sorafenib in the treatment of Advanced HCC. For study contact information in each state, region, or country, please go to the study’s description page and find the study location nearest you. The study’s sponsor is Bristol-Myers Squibb. Refer to identifier NCT01658878. (Study ID # CA209-040, 2012-001514-42)  A Study of Nivolumab Compared to Sorafenib as a Primary Treatment in Patients With Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma - US and InternationalThe purpose of this study is to determine if nivolumab or sorafenib is more effective in the treatment of Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma. For study contact information in each state, region or country, please go to the study’s description page and find the study location nearest you. The study’s sponsor is Bristol-Myers Squibb. Refer to the study identifier -- NCT02576509. (Study ID # CA209-459) A Basic-clinical Translational Research in Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)-Specific Antigen Peptides and HepG2 Cell Lysate Co-activated Dendritic Cells Combined with Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) in HBV-related HCC Treatment (BTRHBVAPHCLCDCCTCHBVHCCT) - ChinaResearchers want to put forward a new scientific therapy called “Activated Dendritic-cells Combined Cyclophosphamide” (ADCC) combine with TACE for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma to prolong their survival time. Contact: Yanling Huang at +8615626459901 or hyanlin3@mail2.sysu.edu.cn or Yuehua Huang at +8613318818899 and refer to identifier NCT03086564. (Study ID # huyangyuehuateam).  Adjuvant Entecavir for Postoperative HBV-HCC -- ChinaThis study aims to compare the effect of antiviral therapy with entecavir and lamivudine for hepatitis B virus-related liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) after radical hepatectomy. Included patients will randomly divide into two groups. Contact Jian-Hong Zhong at zhongjianhong66@163.com or 86-771-5330855 and refer to identifier NCT02650271 (Study ID AEVT-HCC).  Follow-up Strategy of Chronic Hepatitis B for Early Detection and Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Randomized Control Trial – ChinaThe aim of this study is to establish an all-round and convenient follow-up strategy of CHB for early detection and diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), by investigating whether different surveillance time intervals and surveillance methods are beneficial for chronic hepatitis B and cirrhotic patients with different risk of HCC. Contact: Zhongzhen Su at Sun Yat-Sen University at 0086-020-85252010 or sp9313@126.com and refer to identifier NCT02817685. (Study ID # SYSU2016) Oral Vitamin D Treatment for the Prevention of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (VDHCC) – China (Not yet recruiting)The purpose of this study is to determine whether vitamin D is effective in the prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma in those patients with chronic hepatitis B. Contact: Yutian Chong at ytchongkyzy@126.com and refer to identifier NCT02779465. (Study ID # SYSU-CYT-VD5010) Study of Liver Resection With Versus Without Hepatic Inflow Occlusion for the HBV-related HCC (OHx-NOHx) – ChinaThe study aims to compare the perioperative and long-term outcomes of liver resection for HBV-related HCC with versus without hepatic inflow occlusion. Contact Dr. Shichun Lu at +86 10 68160801 or sclu_301@163.com and refer to identifier NCT02563158. (Study ID # JFJZYY-GD-15-01) TCR-Redirected T Cell Infusions to Prevent Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence Post Liver Transplantation - ChinaThis study plans to recruit 10 subjects with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) related HCC after liver transplantation. The objective of the study is to assess the safety, tolerability and effectiveness of the HBV specific T cell receptor (HBV/TCR) redirected T cell in the target population. Contact Dr. Lietao Li at (65) 6224 6157 or clinicaltrials@liontcr.com and refer to NCT02686372. (Study ID # LTCR-HCC-I-1) TCR-Redirected T Cell Infusions to Treat Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma Post Liver Transplantation - ChinaThis study plans to recruit 10 patients with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) related HCC who underwent liver transplantation and are confirmed to have recurrent HCC. The objective of the study is to assess the safety, tolerability and effectiveness of the HBV specific T cell receptor (HBV/TCR) redirected T cell in the target population. Contact Dr. Lietao Li at (65) 6224 6157 or clinicaltrials@liontcr.com and refer to NCT02719782. (Study ID # LTCR-HCC-I-2)  The Investigation of Peginterferon Alfa-2a on the RFS of the Subjects with HCC Who Have Been Treated by Resection – ChinaThe current study is a prospective, randomized, open, multi-center investigation. The aim of current study is to investigate whether the Recurrence-free Survival Rate (RFS) of the hepatitis B related -hepatocellular carcinoma subjects who have been treated by resection can be improved by peginterferon alfa-2a. Contact: Lunxiu Qin at 52887172 or qinlx@fudan.edu.cn or Huliang Jia at jbl-1@163.com and refer to NCT03253250. (Study ID # PEG-HCC)  Thymalfasin Adjuvant Therapy in Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) After Curative Resection – China (Not yet recruiting)Efficacy and safety of Thymalfasin adjuvant therapy in HBV-related HCC after curative resection. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor. This study’s sponsor is Jia fan and SciClone Pharmaceuticals. Refer to identifier NCT02281266. (Study ID # ZDX-2014-05) Yang Yin Fu Zheng Therapy in HBV Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma (YYFZTIHBVHCC) – ChinaThe purpose of this study is to observe the efficacy of routine medical care combined with Yang Yin Fu Zheng therapy for patients belong to HBV-HCC. Contact Zhiyun Yang at +861343969688 or 13439696988@163.com and refer to NCT02927626. (Study ID # BeijingDH) The Role of the Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms in Hepatocarcinogenesis – EgyptVitamin D levels may influence cancer development.  Vitamin D receptor (VDR gene polymorphisms) have also been investigated as impacting chronic hepatitis B, primary biliary cirrhosis and autoimmune hepatitis. A significant association of VDR (ApaI) polymorphism with the development of HCC (liver cancer) in chronic HCV infection may help to identify those who are at high risk of developing HCC. Contact: Sherief Abd-elsalam at 00201095159522 or email sheriefabdelsalam@yahoo.com and refer to identifier NCT02461979. Sonazoid Enhanced Liver Cancer Trial For Early Detection – Japan Use of contrast enhanced ultrasound (US) using Sonazoid vs. conventional B-mode US for early HCC detection.  Contact: Masatoshi Kudo at +81 72-366-0221 ext. 3149 or m-kudo@med.kindai.ac.jp, or Dr. KazuomiUeshima at +81-72-366-0221 ext. 3525, kaz-ues@med.kindai.ac.jp and refer to identifier – NCT00822991 (Study ID # JLOG08001, UMIN000001612) Boramae Hospital Liver Cirrhosis Patient Cohort Study - KoreaThe goal of this study is to describe the natural history of a large number of patients with liver cirrhosis prospectively followed, and to identify predictors of the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma. Contact Sae Kyung Joo at 821089619285 or joo.sammy@gmail.com and refer to identifier NCT01943318. (Study ID # BRM_LC_Cohort) Prompt or Watchful Monitoring for Hepatitis B Virus Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma Without Elevated Viral Load (POWER) – Korea (Not yet recruiting)This trial will investigate and determine the efficacy of the nucleos(t)ide analogue (NUC) treatment with Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Viread®) as measured by the cumulative incidence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at 3 year after curative treatment with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or surgical resection (SR) in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected patients with low viral load. Contact: Seung Woon Paik at 82-2-3410-3409 or sw.paik@samsung.com or Dong Hyun Sinn at 82-2-3410-3012 or dh.sinn@samsung.com and refer to NCT02308319. (Study ID # 2014-09-149) Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) for UnresectableHepatocellular Carcinoma (SBRT for HCC) – KoreaThis study evaluates the effectiveness and adverse event of SBRT in the patients who had solitary 3 cm or less size HCC without extrahepatic lesion and vascular involvement. Contact HeeChul Park at 82-2-3410-2612 or hee.ro.park@samsung.com and refer to identifier NCT01910909. (Study ID # 2013-06-005-001) Transarterial Radioembolization Versus Chemoembolization for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma – Saudi Arabia This randomized controlled trial is designed to prospectively compare TACE and 90Y for treatment of patients with unresectable (BCLC intermediate stage) HCC. Contact Mohamed I Al Sebayel at +966114647272 ext 24818 or msebayel@kfshrc.edu.sa and refer to identifier NCT02729506. (Study ID # 2131 134) The Safety and Maximum Tolerated Dose of Axitinib in Combination With Radiotherapy for HCC – TaiwanThis is a phase I clinical trial evaluating the safety and MTD of axitinib in combination with RT for advanced HCC. Contact Dr. Yu-Min Li at +886-28332211 ext 2031 or M001063@ms.skh.org.tw and refer to identifier NCT02814461. (Study ID # 20150704M) HBV-host cfDNA as Minimal Residual Tumor Marker for HBV-related HCC (Liver Cancer) – TaiwanHBV DNA integration has been found in the chromosomes of about 90% of HBV-related HCC and the integration site is unique to individual HCC. The HBV-host junction DNA fragment from one HCC is therefore a tumor-specific biomarker. Investigators will develop either HBV-specific inverse PCRs or capture-sequencing protocols to identify HBV integrations sites in the tumor chromosomes in patients who have had an HBV-related liver cancer tumor removed surgically. Contact: Pei-Jer Chen, PhD, MD, +886-2-23123456 ext 67072 or email peijerchen@ntu.edu.tw and refer to identifier NCT03020342. (Study ID # 201510056RINA)

  https://www.hepb.org/treatment-and-management/clinical-trials/hepatitis-b-and-liver-cancer-clinical-trials/
• Understanding Your Test Results

  Understanding your hepatitis B blood tests can be confusing. It is important to talk to your health care provider so you understand your test results and your hepatitis B status. Are you infected? Protected? Or at risk? The Hepatitis B Panel of blood tests includes 3 tests and all three results must be known in order to confirm your status. Below is a chart with the most common explanation of the test results, but unusual test results can occur. Please note that this chart is not intended as medical advice, so be sure to talk to your health care provider for a full explanation and obtain a printed copy of your test results. In some cases, a person could be referred to a liver specialist for further evaluation. More Detailed Information About Hepatitis B Blood Tests An acute hepatitis B infection follows a relatively long incubation period - from 60 to 150 days with an average of 90 days. It can take up to six months, however, for a person to get rid of the hepatitis B virus. And it can take up to six months for a hepatitis B blood test to show whether as person has recovered from an acute infection or has become chronically infected . The following graphic from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) represents the typical course of an acute hepatitis B infection from first exposure to recovery. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Video According to the CDC, a hepatitis B blood test result (or serologic marker) varies depending on whether the infection is a new acute infection or a chronic infection. HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen) is the first serologic marker to appear in a new acute infection, which can be detected as early as 1 week and as late as 9 weeks, with an average of one month after exposure to the hepatitis B virus (HBV).  - HBsAg is detectable for a variable amount of time, along with the HBV DNA, though about 50% of persons will test HBsAg and HBV DNA negative 7 weeks after symptoms. - All persons who spontaneously recover from an infection will test negative for HBsAg and negative for HBV DNA about 15 weeks after the appearance of symptoms. Anti-HBs or HBsAb (hepatitis B surface antibody) – this becomes detectable on a blood test after the disappearance of HBsAg in persons who are able to get rid of the virus and avoid a chronic infection. The presence of anti-HBs following a new acute infection generally indicates recovery and a person is then protected (or “immune”) from re-infection with hepatitis B. Anti-HBc or HBcAb (hepatitis B core antibody) – this blood test remains positive indefinitely as a marker of past HBV infection. HBeAg (hepatitis B e-antigen) is generally detectable in patients with a new acute infection; the presence of HBeAg is associated with higher HBV DNA levels, thus, increased infectiousness. IgM anti-HBc – a positive blood test result indicates a person has a new acute hepatitis B infection.IgM anti-HBc is generally detectable at the time symptoms appear and declines to sub-detectable levels within 6 - 9 months. Note: An acute exacerbation (or liver flare) in a chronic HBV infection can also result in a positive anti-HBc IgM test result. So follow-up testing after 6 months is required. IgG anti-HBc – this blood test remains positive indefinitely as a marker of past HBV infection.

  https://www.hepb.org/prevention-and-diagnosis/diagnosis/understanding-your-test-results/