BREAKING: A promising new clinical trial is underway as Bay Area liver specialist Dr. Maurizio Bonacini leads a groundbreaking effort to find a cure for chronic hepatitis B, a disease that affects over 2 million people in the United States alone. This urgent initiative comes as existing prevention methods falter, prompting experts to declare hepatitis B the “last frontier” in infectious disease control.
With the World Health Organization estimating that one in three people globally has been infected with hepatitis B, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The risk is especially acute for infants; 90 percent of babies infected with the virus develop chronic hepatitis B. If left untreated, the virus leads to liver cancer in 25 percent of cases, resulting in a death rate of one in four.
In response to this pressing health crisis, Dr. Bonacini has joined the B-United clinical trial, which includes 300 patients across 80 sites in 18 countries, sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline. Bonacini’s team in San Francisco is one of the first to administer a potential cure, marking a significant milestone in the battle against this devastating disease.
Patients currently depend on lifelong antiviral medications to suppress the virus, which can have side effects including fatigue, nausea, and gastrointestinal issues. Dr. Bonacini likens the current treatment landscape to “the Olympics,” stating, “What we have now is the bronze medal.” His goal is to achieve a “gold” standard: a complete eradication of the virus.
The trial involves monthly injections of an investigational drug, aimed at reducing the virus’s surface antigen. Patients will receive a second drug after 24 weeks of treatment. If surface antigens remain undetectable after an additional 24 weeks, patients may stop all treatment while being closely monitored. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration could consider these drugs for market approval by late 2027.
Dr. Bonacini emphasizes the critical need for better prevention and diagnosis. Earlier this year, he urged over 60 primary care physicians in California to implement state-mandated hepatitis B screenings in electronic health records. However, many physicians expressed concerns about the burden of additional tests, highlighting an urgent need for systemic change in healthcare practices.
A significant gap in U.S. immigration health requirements exacerbates the crisis. Current laws mandate proof of vaccination against hepatitis B for immigrants but do not require screenings, a “big mistake,” according to Dr. Bonacini. He recalls a patient who immigrated to the U.S. from Southeast Asia, unknowingly carrying the virus. Despite receiving a vaccination, he later learned he had chronic hepatitis B and now faces the threat of liver cancer.
One participant in the trial—a San Francisco resident in his 40s—has seen his hepatitis B DNA become undetectable within months of starting treatment. He shares his story anonymously, hoping to raise awareness about the condition’s stigma. “I can’t imagine the financial burden for those with inferior coverage,” he says, noting that his own healthcare costs add up to hundreds of dollars every six months.
Dr. Bonacini believes that with improved prevention, cases like his patient’s could become rare in future generations. However, he insists a cure is essential, as not everyone will be inoculated against the virus. He collaborates with leading virologists worldwide, from Tanzania to Hong Kong, where up to 7 percent of the population is affected by hepatitis B. “We just have to find the right drugs,” he states, underscoring the urgency of their mission.
As the world watches this critical endeavor unfold, Dr. Bonacini’s dedication offers hope for millions living with the ongoing threat of hepatitis B. The fight for a cure is not just a clinical trial; it’s a vital lifeline for individuals whose lives hang in the balance. Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
