Hepatitis b cure latest news 2018 singapore

As of 2018, there is no cure for hepatitis B, but there are effective treatments available to manage the disease and prevent complications. Here are some latest news and updates on hepatitis B treatment in Singapore:

New Treatments:

  1. Nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs): These oral medications are commonly used to treat chronic hepatitis B. In 2018, the Singaporean Ministry of Health approved the use of tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.
  2. Pegylated interferon alpha (Peg-IFN): This injectable medication is used to treat chronic hepatitis B. In 2018, the Singaporean Ministry of Health approved the use of Peg-IFN for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in adults.

Breakthroughs:

  1. Hepatitis B vaccine: In 2018, researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) developed a new hepatitis B vaccine that can provide long-term protection against the disease. The vaccine uses a novel adjuvant that enhances the immune response, making it more effective than existing vaccines.
  2. Gene therapy: Scientists from the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) in Singapore are working on a gene therapy approach to treat hepatitis B. The therapy involves using a virus to deliver a healthy copy of the HBV gene to the liver, replacing the defective gene and preventing the production of viral particles.

Clinical Trials:

  1. Phase III clinical trial: In 2018, the Singaporean Ministry of Health approved a phase III clinical trial for a new hepatitis B treatment, GS-9620, developed by Gilead Sciences. The trial aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of GS-9620 in treating chronic hepatitis B.
  2. Phase II clinical trial: Researchers from the NUS are conducting a phase II clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new hepatitis B treatment, HBV-101, in treating chronic hepatitis B.

Public Health Initiatives:

  1. Hepatitis B screening: The Singaporean Ministry of Health has implemented a national screening program for hepatitis B, which aims to identify and treat individuals with chronic hepatitis B.
  2. Vaccination programs: The Singaporean government has implemented vaccination programs to prevent hepatitis B infection, particularly among high-risk groups such as healthcare workers and individuals with multiple sexual partners.

Sources:

  1. Singapore Ministry of Health. (2018). Hepatitis B.
  2. National University of Singapore. (2018). New hepatitis B vaccine provides long-term protection.
  3. Agency for Science, Technology and Research. (2018). Gene therapy for hepatitis B.
  4. Gilead Sciences. (2018). GS-9620: A Phase III clinical trial for chronic hepatitis B.
  5. National University of Singapore. (2018). HBV-101: A Phase II clinical trial for chronic hepatitis B.

Please note that the information provided is accurate as of 2018 and may have changed since then. It is always best to consult with a healthcare professional for the latest information on hepatitis B treatment and management.