Good news for health - New vaccine developed against liver disease hepatitis C
Last updated 1/10/2012 12:18:48 PM
Good news for health - New vaccine developed against liver disease hepatitis C
A new vaccine against the chronic liver disease hepatitis C has shown promising results in a first clinical trial in humans, Oxford University researchers report.
The vaccine generated immune responses similar to those seen in the minority of people who are naturally able to clear any infection with the hepatitis C virus.
The findings suggest it might be possible to develop a vaccine that will be broadly effective against hepatitis C and offer lasting protection.The researchers are hopeful that in time, this work could lead to a vaccine that protects those at risk from the disease or helps in treating those with hepatitis C infections. They caution that many more studies over a number of years would be needed in developing such a vaccine.
"We've found that it's possible to prime large cellular immune responses against hepatitis C that last for at least a year," says Professor Paul Klenerman. "The immune responses we've seen are exciting and we are beginning the next stage of trials."
The course of hepatitis C is unpredictable. In a number of people, infection with hepatitis C leads to gradual damage to the liver than can eventually lead to cirrhosis. Some people's immune responses, however, are sufficient to clear the virus soon after infection, which gives hope that a vaccine might be possible. However, hepatitis C is a virus that constantly changes its make-up, like HIV. This makes it a very difficult target for designing a vaccine.
The Oxford researchers, along with colleagues from an Italian biotech company and the University of Birmingham, have used a new approach to stimulate a different arm of the body's immune system from previous attempts at a vaccine. Their vaccine is designed to generate a T cell response to the more constant internal parts of the hepatitis C virus, rather than looking to prime an antibody attack on the ever-changing outer coat of the virus.
The team is now carrying out a trial to see if the vaccine can help treat those already infected with hepatitis C, as well as continuing to develop the vaccine to get better immune responses.Hepatitis C is caused by a virus transmitted through the blood, with infection typically remaining hidden for many years. Many people do not know they are infected because they do not show any symptoms.It is estimated that about 250,000 people are infected with hepatitis C in England and Wales, and the disease is now the leading reason in the West for liver transplants.