Project description
Gene therapy for chronic hepatitis
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) can cause cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, leading to one million deaths per year worldwide. Since the mechanisms underlying HBV persistence are poorly understood, there is no definitive cure, and current treatments aim to reduce the development of liver disease. The EU-funded 2LIVEr project is working on a novel strategy to reactivate the ineffective CD8+ T cell response towards the HBV based on the hepatocellular delivery of interleukin-2 (IL-2) by lentiviral vectors. This gene therapy approach will serve as a functional cure against chronic hepatitis B by activating the immune system against the virus.