Clinical Research Directory

Evaluation of Patients With Liver Disease

The proposed study aims to evaluate, investigate, and follow-up patients suffering from acute and chronic liver disease. The study will focus on understanding diseases affecting the liver. Patients participating in the study will first undergo a routine check-up as an outpatient. They will be asked to provide blood and urine samples for laboratory testing and will undergo an ultrasound of the liver. Ultrasound examinations use sound waves to determine the size and texture of the liver. After the initial visit subjects will be requested to follow-up once a year at the outpatient department for a similar check-up. Additional tests may be requested throughout the study to provide information for other research studies and individual consent will be requested. These tests may include liver biopsies, skin biopsies, and / or specialized blood, plasma, and lymphocyte examinations. Subjects that qualify for medications presently being studied may be offered the opportunity to benefit from experimental therapy.

Study of Oral TLR8 Agonist Selgantolimod on HBsAg in Participants With Both Chronic Hepatitis B and HIV

The study aims to assess safety and tolerability of oral toll-like receptor (TLR) 8 agonist Selgantolimod (SLGN) administered for 24 weeks in participants with both CHB and HIV who have been receiving suppressive antiviral therapy for both viruses for ≥5 years and have qHBsAg level \>1000 (3 log10) IU/mL at screening. The study will also evaluate if TLR8 stimulation with SLGN will reduce hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) titers in the blood.

Screening for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and AIDS Viruses Using Dried Blood Spot

The aim of the study is to screen for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and AIDS viruses using a Dried Blood Spot in drug users

Study of Bepirovirsen in Participants Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection (B-Focus)

This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of bepirovirsen compared to placebo in participants with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis B virus (HBV) co-infection.

HepB mAb19 in Individuals With Chronic Hepatitis B Infection

This is a first-in-human, placebo-controlled, single dose, dose-escalation phase 1 study to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics and antiviral activity of a highly potent neutralizing anti-HBV monoclonal antibody (mAb), HepB mAb19, which targets the S-protein in individuals with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) on nucleos(t)ide analog therapy (NRTI).

HBRN: Immune Regulation and Costimulation in Natural History of Chronic Hepatitis B

This is an ancillary to the NIDDK-sponsored Hepatitis B Research Network (HBRN) Study Cohort Study NCT01263587. This study will examine the balance between immune regulatory and effector responses in hepatitis B-infected participants enrolled in the HBRN study (NCT01263587).

HBRN: Immune Regulation and Costimulation in Natural History and Therapeutic Outcome of Chronic Hepatitis B

This is an ancillary to the NIDDK-sponsored treatment trials titled: Combination Therapy of Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2a and Tenofovir Versus Tenofovir Monotherapy in Chronic Hepatitis B (NCT01369212) and Combination Entecavir and Peginterferon Therapy in HBeAg-Positive Immune-Tolerant Adults With Chronic Hepatitis B (NCT01369199). This study will examine the balance between immune regulatory and effector responses in hepatitis B-infected participants enrolled in the HBRN's clinical trials (NCT01369212 and NCT01369199) to define natural history and treatment outcome.

Managing Hepatitis B (Hep. B) and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Related Cancers and Mental Health.

Aim: The main goal of this observational study is to determine the prevalence of Human Papilloma Virus(HPV) infection, and Hepatitis B (Hep B) immunity amongst women of childbearing age 13 to 45 years) attending clinics at Mtshabezi Mission and Matobo clinic respectively; and assess behavioral risk factors of high school students at these catchment areas that can put them at risk for developing cancer of the cervix and liver. Question: Can screening for cancer, and vaccination against Hep B and HPV, and cognitive behavior intervention help in preventing related cancers amongst these groups of participants.

TAF Monotherapy Versus ETV Combined With TAF on the Efficacy and Prognosis of Immunotherapy for Hepatitis B-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Study Objective: To compare the efficacy and prognosis of systemic cancer therapy between TAF monotherapy and ETV plus TAF combination therapy in patients with unresectable, advanced hepatitis-B-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC). Study Design: Prospective, interventional cohort study. Participants: Patients with histologically or radiologically confirmed unresectable, advanced HBV-HCC who are scheduled to receive immune-based systemic therapy at The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. Detailed inclusion/exclusion criteria are provided below. Intervention: Enrolled participants will be assigned to receive either TAF monotherapy or ETV combined with TAF for HBV suppression. Primary Outcome: Overall survival (OS) at 24 months after initiation of systemic therapy, compared between the two HBV-treatment strategies. Secondary Outcomes: Decline in HBV DNA and HBsAg levels at 1, 3, 12 and 24 months. Sample Size: 120 HCC patients (60 per arm). Statistical Analysis: All analyses will be performed with SPSS. Continuous variables will be tested for normality (Shapiro-Wilk). Normally distributed data are presented as mean ± SD; non-normally distributed data as median (IQR). Twenty-four-month OS will be estimated by Kaplan-Meier curves and compared with a Cox proportional-hazards model adjusted for age, BCLC stage, AFP level, and ICI regimen. PFS will be compared using the log-rank test; ORR and HBV DNA undetectable rate will be compared with χ² tests. Inverse-probability-of-treatment weighting (IPTW) will address selection bias, and multiple imputation will handle missing data.

National Liver Cancer Screening Trial

The National Liver Cancer Screening Trial is an adaptive randomized phase IV Trial comparing ultrasound-based versus biomarker-based screening in 5500 patients with cirrhosis from any etiology or patients with chronic hepatitis B infection. Eligible patients will be randomized in a 1:1 fashion to Arm A using semi-annual ultrasound and AFP-based screening or Arm B using semi-annual screening using GALAD alone. Randomization will be stratified by sex, enrolling site, Child Pugh class (A vs. B), and HCC etiology (viral vs. non-viral). Patients will be recruited from 15 sites (mix of tertiary care and large community health systems) over a 3-year period, and the primary endpoint of the phase IV trial, reduction in late-stage HCC, will be assessed after 5.5 years.

hUC Mesenchymal Stem Cells (19#iSCLife®-LC) in the Treatment of Decompensated Hepatitis b Cirrhosishepatitis b Cirrhosis

1. Evaluation the safety of using human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells to treat patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis. 2. Observe the curative effect of patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis who use human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells to treat. 3. Explore the possible mechanism of human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells to treat patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis.

TLR-9 Adjuvanted Vaccination for Chronic Hepatitis B

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if HEPLISAV-B, a vaccine that is approved to prevent hepatitis B infection in people that are not already infected, is safe in people already chronically infected with hepatitis B. The main quiestions it aims to answer are: 1. Is HEPLISAV-B safe in people with chronic hepatitis B? 2. What side effects, if any, could HEPLISAV-B cause in people with chronic hepatitis B? 3. How does HEPLISAV-B affect the cells that fight chronic hepatitis B? Participants will: * Receive HEPLISAV-B as an injection in the muscle, one injection every 4 weeks, for a total of 2 injections. * Visit the clinic a total of 5 times, and have 3 phone follow ups over 14 months. * Be asked if they are having any side effects from HEPLISAV-B. * Have blood samples collected.

A Study to Evaluate Blood Levels of Bepirovirsen in Adult Participants With Severe or Moderate Kidney Disease

This is a 2-part study where all participants will receive bepirovirsen. The study will measure how much bepirovirsen from a single dose gets into the blood, and how long it stays in the blood. The purpose of the study is to understand if blood levels of bepirovirsen are different in adults with kidney disease compared to healthy adults who do not have kidney disease.

ALTUS: Performance of a Multi- Target Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Test in Subjects With Increased Risk

The primary objective is to assess overall sensitivity and specificity of Oncoguard™ Liver for hepatocellular cancer (HCC) detection in a surveillance population.

Liver Disease and Other Systemic Diseases

Examine the association of chronic liver diseases (including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, alcoholic liver disease, fatty liver, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma) with other systemic diseases by retrospectively analyzing the data from the Hospital Database of Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation.

Improvement of Portal Hypertension During Viral Suppression in Patients With Hepatitis Delta (IMPHROVE-D)

Portal hypertension (PH) is one of the key drivers of clinical deteoration in patients with liver cirrhosis. It has been demonstrated that antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection leads to a decrease of PH and is associated with an improved outcome. Recently, Bulevirtide was approved for the treatment of patients coinfected with hepatitis B (HBV) and chronic hepatitis delta (HDV) infection, which helps to achieve viral supression in these patients. This study investigates the potential effects of viral supression on PH in patients with chronic HBV/HDV infection and liver cirrhosis.

Blood Collection Biorepository for Liver Disease Research

The purpose of establishing a biorepository is to provide high quality specimens (serum, plasma, buffy coat and liver tissue) for future researchers who are studying the effects that fatty liver and viral diseases have on the liver.

Study of GSK3965193 in Healthy Participants and Participants Living With Chronic Hepatitis B Infection

This Phase 1/2a multiple part study is a first time-in-human (FTIH) study designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of single (Part 1) and repeat doses (Part 2) of GSK3965193 in healthy participants. Part 3 will evaluate the ability of GSK3965193 to lower hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) in participants living with chronic hepatitis B infection (PLWCHB) and will be given the option to subsequently receive treatment with open label bepirovirsen. Part 4 will evaluate the safety and tolerability of combination therapy with GSK3965193 and bepirovirsen and the potential to effect sustained virologic response in PLWCHB.

Scalable Public Health Empowerment, Research, and Education Sites (SPHERES)

SPHERES is a health service research trial in the Indonesian primary care system designed to improve health system performance using a structured data-driven action model. The intervention empowers district health leaders to make data-informed decisions that will enhance outcomes across maternal, child, infectious, and non-communicable disease programs.

A Study of Sequential Therapy With Daplusiran/Tomligisiran (DAP/TOM) Followed by Bepirovirsen in Participants Living With Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB)

The study is intended to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 2 different doses of DAP/TOM followed by bepirovirsen in participants living with CHB on standard of care nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy. The study also aims to identify an optimal dose of DAP/TOM for sequenced therapy with bepirovirsen for further clinical development and to assess the contribution of DAP/TOM to the sequential regimen.

Pan-Viral Screening and Linkage to Care Among GBMSM and Trans Women in Spain

The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, with major reductions in hepatitis B and C incidence and mortality. However, hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission has increased among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), especially those living with HIV. Practices such as chemsex, particularly involving injection drug use, have contributed to this rise. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) also remains a public health challenge due to the potential for chronic infection and severe liver damage. Hepatitis D virus (HDV), which requires HBV co-infection, further complicates clinical management. This study aims to design, implement, and evaluate an online self-sampling testing strategy to enhance pan-viral testing (HBV, HCV, HDV, HIV) and improve linkage to care among GBMSM and transgender women (TW) in Spain. The intervention will involve self-collected dried blood spot (DBS) samples for testing HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), HIV antibodies, and HCV RNA. Individuals testing positive for HBsAg will undergo further testing for HBV DNA and HDV infection. Those lacking protective levels of HBV antibodies will be referred for vaccination or revaccination. The study will also assess the number of HIV-positive individuals who acquired the infection while waiting for access to PrEP, identifying missed prevention opportunities. This non-randomized, single-arm, prospective national study will recruit adult GBMSM and TW through PrEP services, dating apps, NGOs, social media, and community outreach. Participants will complete an online risk assessment (using the HCV-MOSAIC algorithm) and receive self-sampling kits with instructions, lancets, Whatman cards, and prepaid envelopes. Results will be provided online, and those testing positive will be linked to confirmatory diagnosis and care. Outcomes include estimates of HIV, HBV, HCV, and HDV prevalence; effectiveness of linkage to care; acceptability and usability of the intervention; and validation of DBS for HBsAg detection. This study will provide critical evidence on the effectiveness of online self-sampling strategies for viral hepatitis and HIV among GBMSM and TW, supporting Spain's public health goals for prevention, early diagnosis, and linkage to care.

Real-world Study Evaluating the Long-term Outcomes of Pegylated Interferon α-2b Treatment in the Families With Clusters of HBV Infection and Unfavorable Prognosis - A Prospective, Controlled, Multicenter, Cohort Study

Chronic hepatitis B can develop into cirrhosis and liver cancer, which seriously endangers the life and health of people. In China, HBV is mainly transmitted from mother to child, showing the phenomenon of family clusters. Similarly, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma occur in familial clusters. Familial clusters of HBV infection with unfavorable prognoses refers to HBV-infected patients from two consecutive generations of blood relatives, with at least one family member diagnosed with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Previous family investigations have shown that the risk and harm of HBV-related cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma are significantly higher in families with familial clusters of HBV infection with unfavorable prognoses than in the general population. Currently, antiviral drugs used for CHB mainly include nucleoside analogues (NAs) and interferon-alpha (mainly pegylated interferon-alpha, Peg IFN). NAs mainly inhibits viral replication by blocking the reverse transcription process, but it cannot effectively inhibit the expression of viral proteins such as HBsAg, and rarely achieves clinical cure. Multiple clinical studies have shown that the use of NAs reduces the incidence of cirrhosis decompensation, HCC, and death in patients with CHB compared to untreated or placebo-treated patients. Despite long-term treatment with first-line NAs drugs, CHB patients continue to be at risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma. Peg IFN α-2b injection is the first-line drug of choice for antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis B, and its main mechanism of action includes anti-HBV, anti-fibrosis, anti-tumor and regulation of immune response. In 2024, a randomized controlled multicenter study showed that Peg IFN α-2b combined with NAs therapy could effectively prevent hepatocellular carcinoma in CHB patients. There is sufficient evidence in clinical practice that long-term antiviral therapy, whether NAs or Peg IFN α-2b, reduces the risk of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and death in patients with CHB. In conclusion, early antiviral therapy can reduce the risk of developing hepatitis B cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in CHB patients with familial clusters of HBV infection with unfavorable prognoses. The goal of this observational study is to explore the evaluation of pegylated interferon α-2b combined with first-line NAs on the long-term outcome of CHB antiviral therapy with cirrhosis and HCC progression as the main observation targets, compared with only use of NAs in the context of familial clusters of HBV infection with unfavorable prognoses. It is intended to provide high-quality evidence-based medical evidence for the treatment and follow-up of CHB, explore optimal clinical decision-making, and provide global clinical data for the improvement and evaluation of this difficult-to-treat population. The main question it aims to answer is: Can Peg IFN-α-2B combined with NAs therapy improve the long-term outcomes of this particular population of familial clusters of HBV infection with unfavorable prognoses compared to first-line NAs monotherapy? Patients with familial clusters of HBV infection with unfavorable prognoses using Peg IFN-α-2B combined with NAs therapy and NAs monotherapy will be collected laboratory and medical examination data at specified follow-up points, and recorded adverse events and drug combinations in detail for 7 years.

A Phase II/III Study to Evaluate the Immunogenicity, Safety and Lot-to-lot Consistency of LBVD, a Fully Liquid Hexavalent Diphtheria-tetanus-whole Cell Pertussis-hepatitis B-poliovirus-Haemophilus Influenzae Type b Conjugate (DTwP-HepB-IPV-Hib) Vaccine, in Healthy Infants as Primary Series

The purpose of this study is to evaluate immunogenicity, safety and lot-to-lot consistency of LBVD in comparison to co-administration of Pentavalent vaccine and Poliomyelitis Vaccine (Inactivated) in separate injections at four weeks after completion of three-dose primary series at 6-10-14 weeks of age when administered to healthy infants

A Study to Investigate the Safety and Efficacy of Undiluted Intravenous Infusion of I.V.-Hepabig Inj.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of undiluted intravenous infusion of I.V.-Hepabig inj. in post-liver transplant patients