Towards a Functional Cure for HBV - The COMMIT Cohort Study

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can be treated, but therapy is usually lifelong and has side effects, so a cure for HBV is a critical endpoint. This study examines the key steps to HBV cure in the setting of HIV-HBV co-infection, where rates of development of antibodies against HBV after starting HBV treatment are higher than in people with HBV alone starting treatment. In Asia both HBV and HIV are common so this provides a unique opportunity to study HBV. We will investigate how an effective immune response against the two main HBV proteins is developed. If we can understand how the immune response works against HBV, this could be used to develop new therapies towards a cure for HBV

A) Aims and Objectives. Effective antiviral treatments of HBV are available, but treatment is lifelong in most so comes at considerable cost and with some toxicity. An effective therapeutic strategy to achieve a cure for HBV remains an unmet need. This project examines the key steps to HBV cure in the setting of HIV-HBV co-infection. Seroconversion is key to the cure. Seroconversion is the process where detectable antibody (specific protective protein produced by the immune system) against virus proteins (antigens) are developed in the blood. This proposed Asian HIV-HBV co-infection cohort (where treatment initiation is later and hence at lower cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) counts) will provide a unique opportunity to test our hypothesis that following initiation of antiviral therapy, HB surface and "e" antigen loss is more frequent (i) early in treatment and (ii) with lower CD4 cell counts, and that predictors of losing HB surface and 'e" antigen (Ag) and gaining antibody (Ab) against them are directly associated with B-cell functions.

B) Key Questions. Primary objective: to determine the rates \& clinical determinants of HBsAg and HBeAg loss and seroconversion in HIV-HBV co-infected patients commencing HBV-active antiretroviral (ART). We will test the hypotheses that: (i) seroconversion occurs predominantly in the early phase of treatment (≤12 months) with HBV active ART and (ii) seroconversion is more frequent in HIV-HBV co-infected individuals commencing treatment with lower CD4+ T cell counts (≤100 cells/mm3) compared to those with higher counts (\>100 cells/mm3).

Secondary objectives: (i) identify predictive biomarkers of HBsAg loss/seroconversion and (ii) examine predictors of HBeAg loss/seroconversion in this setting

C) Research Design. This is a large prospective, observational cohort study of treatment-naïve HIV-HBV co-infected patients (n=150). Clinical sites are - (1) HIV-Netherland-Australia-Thailand (HIV-NAT)/Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre, Bangkok, Thailand; (2) Y.R. Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research and Education (YRG CARE), Chennai, India; and (3) Clinical Investigation Centre (CIC), University of Malaya, Infectious Diseases Directorate, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Participants will be followed for 2 years, with study visits at baseline (study entry/initiation of treatment), months 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 of follow-up. Clinical and laboratory information/data and blood samples will be collected at study visits.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or female, aged 18 years and older
* HIV antibody positive
* Chronically-infected with HBV, as defined by:

  i. Positive Hepatitis B surface antigen HBsAg) or HBV DNA result with a subsequent positive HBsAg or HBV DNA result at least 6 months after first positive result (the 2nd HBsAg test may be taken at the baseline visit) ii. HBsAg positive with the absence of immunoglobulin M antibodies to HBV core at screening
* Current or ever hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody negative
* Hepatitis D virus (HDV) negative
* ART naïve or within 7-10 days of ART start at sites where immediate ART start (test and treat) is practice
* Provide signed and dated informed consent form.
* Willing to comply with all study procedures and be available for the duration of the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody positive
* Hepatitis delta antibody positive
* Anything that would place the individual at increased risk or preclude the individual's full compliance with or completion of the study.