• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.281-286
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• 2003

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the worldwide public health problem affecting about 300 million people. The envelope protein of HBV consists of three components known as preS1, preS2, and S antigen. According to the recent study, anti-HBs Ab showed effective neutralization ability against HBV from chronic hepatitis B and liver transplant patients, suggesting the possible development of therapeutic antibody. Methods: Spleen cells immunized with S antigen of HBV were fused with myeloma cell line to obtain HBsAg specific monoclonal antibodies. High affinity antibodies against HBsAg (adr, ad and ay type) were selected by competitive ELISA method. Nucleotide sequence of the variable regions of monoclonal antibodies was analyzed by RT-PCR followed by conventional sequencing method. Results: We produced 14 murine monoclonal antibodies which recognize S antigen of HBV. Two of them, A9-11 and C6-9 showed the highest affinity. The sequence analysis of A9-11 revealed that variable regions of the heavy chain and light chains are members of mouse heavy chain I (B) and light chain lambda 1, respectively. Likewise, the sequence analysis of C6-9 revealed that variable regions of the heavy chain and light chains are members of mouse heavy chain II (B) and light chain kappa 1, respectively. Neutralization assay showed that A9-11 and C6-9 effectively neutralize the HBV infection. Conclusion: These results suggest that A9-11 and C6-9 mouse monoclonal antibodies can be used for the development of therapeutic antibody for HBV infection.

• Gut and Liver
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.694-703
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• 2018

Background/Aims: Limited data exist comparing the safety and efficacy of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in hepatitis C virus (HCV) monoinfected and HCV/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfected patients in the real-world clinic practice setting. Methods: All HCV monoinfected and HCV/HIV coinfected patients treated with DAAs between January 2014 and October 2017 in community clinic settings were retrospectively analyzed. Pretreatment baseline patient characteristics, treatment efficacy, factors affecting sustained virologic response at 12 weeks (SVR12) after treatment, and adverse reactions were compared between the groups. Results: A total of 327 patients were included in the study, of which 253 were HCV monoinfected, and 74 were HCV/HIV coinfected. There was a statistically significant difference observed in SVR12 when comparing HCV monoinfection and HCV/HIV coinfection (94% and 84%, respectively, p=0.005). However, there were no significant factors identified as a predictor of a reduced response. The most common adverse effect was fatigue (27%). No significant drug interaction was observed between DAA and antiretroviral therapy. None of the patients discontinued the treatment due to adverse events. Conclusions: In a real-world setting, DAA regimens have lower SVR12 in HCV/HIV coinfection than in HCV monoinfection. Further studies involving a higher number of HCV/HIV coinfected patients are needed to identify real predictors of a reduced response.

• BMB Reports
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.538-544
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• 2003

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major causative agent of chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The development of alternative antiviral therapies is warranted because current treatments for the HCV infection affect only a limited number of patients and lead to significant toxicities. The HCV genome is exclusively present in the RNA form; therefore, ribozyme strategies to target certain HCV sequences have been proposed as anti-HCV treatments. In this study, we determined which regions of the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) of HCV are accessible to ribozymes by employing an RNA mapping strategy that is based on a trans-splicing ribozyme library. We then discovered that the loop regions of the domain IIIb of HCV IRES appeared to be particularly accessible. Moreover, to verify if the target sites that were predicted to be accessible are truly the most accessible, we assessed the ribozyme activities by comparing not only the trans-splicing activities in vitro but also the trans-cleavage activities in cells of several ribozymes that targeted different sites. The ribozyme that could target the most accessible site identified by mapping studies was then the most active with high fidelity in cells as well as in vitro. These results demonstrate that the RNA mapping strategy represents an effective method to determine the accessible regions of target RNAs and have important implications for the development of various antiviral therapies which are based on RNA such as ribozyme, antisense, or siRNA.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.17-24
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• 1973

The function of the liver is so complicated and important that various Hepatic diseases are occured due to functional retardation of liver. Above all, the incidence of Hepatitis and liver cirrhosis among Koreans has shown an increasing tendency recently. 113 cases of Hepatitis and 125 cases of liver cirrhosis which had been admitted, more than 10 days, to KOREA Hospital between November, 1968 and July,1972, were studied through clinic charts. (A) Hepatitis 1) of the 113 cases; 54 cases (47.7%) were Infectious hepatitis; 40 cases (35.4%) were chronic hepatitis 2) of the 113 cases ; 80 cases (70.8%) were male and 33 cases (29.2%) were female; the sex ratio was 2.4 : 1 The ages of the onset of the disease was as follows; 34 cases (30.1%) were among $30{\sim}40$. 3) Patients had abdominal pain (77.9%) anorexia (66.4 %) and general weakness(82.3%) as symptom and jaundice (94.7%) hepatomegaly (76.1%) as sign 4) 57 cases of all had complication 26 cases (45.6%) were parasite, 12 cases (21.1%) were diabeties mellitus. 5) 99 casea (87.6%) of all were improved and recovered. (B) Liver Cirrhosis 1) Etiologic factors are hepatitis (56cases) and alcoholics (28 cases). 2) of the 125 cases, 84 cases (67.2%) were male and 41 cases (32.8%) were female; the sex ratio was 2 : 1 The age of the onset of the disease was as follows; 47 cases (37.6%) were among 41-50. 3) Patients had symptoms: indigestion (64.8%), Abdominal pain (60%), general wenkness (35.2%) and signs; Hepatomegaly (61.6%) Ascites (59.2%), Jaundice(56.8%). 4) 107 cases of all had complications; Hepatic coma was 20 cases (18.7 %), Ascites was 16 cases (15.0%). 5) 69 cases (55.2%) were improved. (c) Treatment of Hepatitis and cirrhosis. 1) Absolutely (bed) rest. 2) A well-balanced diet adequate in calorie value, showed be given (High Carbohydrate, High Protein, High vitamin diet) if the patient's appetite is good and easily digested. 3) Drugs; (1) Vitamins (2) Digestants (3) Tranquize

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.3697-3703
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• 2016

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent type of malignant liver tumor and a high impact health problem worldwide. The prevalence of HCC is particularly high in many Asian and African countries. Some HCC patients have no symptoms prior to diagnosis and many of them therefore present at late stage and have a grave prognosis. The well-established causes of HCC are chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) or chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection or alcoholic cirrhosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Staging System remains the most widely used for HCC management guidelines. To date, the treatments for HCC are still very challenging for physicians due to limited resources in many parts of the world, but many options of management have been proposed, including hepatic resection, liver transplantation, ablative therapy, chemoembolization, sorafnib and best supportive care. This review article describes the current evidence-based management of HCC with focus on early to advance stages that impact on patient overall survival.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.637-644
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• 1996

Interstitial pneumonitis associated with interferon alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis C was first describe6 in 1994 by Kazoo et al In Japan. The mechanism of interstitial pneumonitis developed by interferon alpha was still unknown but immunologic, allergic of direct lung toxicity were suggested. We experienced a case of interstitial pneumonitis developed during interferon alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis C in a 52-year-old male patient. He was treated with 6 million units of interferon alpha intramuscularly 3 times per week for 4 weeks and noted progressive dyspnea and cough. These symptoms were subsided after 6 weeks' discontinuation of interferon alpha therapy. And so, he was retreated with 3 million units of interferon alpha 3 times per week for 8 weeks and felt dyspnea again. He was admitted to our hospital for further evaluation of progressive dyspnea. Arterial blood gas(ABG) values were $PaO_2$ 90.7 mmHg and $PaCO_2$ 31.9 mmHg, and antinuclear antibody(ANA) was negative. A chest X-ray film revealed diffuse reticulo-nodular shadows in bilateral lung fields, suggesting a diagnosis of interstitial pneumonitis. A marked increase in lymphocyte count and suppressor T cell were observed in bronchoalveolar lavage(BAL) fluid. Lymphocyte stimulation test with interferon alpha was positive. Interstitial pneumonitis was confirmed by transbronchial lung biopsy. After discontinuation of interferon alpha, we gave oral steroid in the condition that clinical symptoms were being improved gradually.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.35-39
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• 2015

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent cancers in South East Asian countries including Cambodia, where prevalence of chronic carriers of hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) is reported to be very high. We reviewed HCC cases admitted to a cancer hospital in Phnom Penh, which is the only one hospital for cancer treatment and care in Cambodia during the study period. Materials and Methods: Information was collected from medical records of 281 cases (210 males and 71 females) diagnosed as primary HCC from 2006 to 2011. Results: The subjects were 7-81 years old with a median age of 53 years. Hypochondriac pain was the most common complained symptom (74%). One third of the cases presented with jaundice. Nearly half had ascites at their first visit. One third had liver cirrhosis. Nearly three fourths of the cases presented with tumor sized more than 50 mm in diameter, and in almost all cases (97.4%) the size was more than 20 mm. Among 209 subjects tested, hepatitis virus carriers were 75.6%; 46.4% for HBV only, 21.5% for HCV only, and 7.7% for both viral infections. Median age of patients with HBV was about ten years younger than those with HCV. Conclusions: This study revealed the characteristics of HCC cases in Cambodia, although there were several limitations. Most HCC cases were infected with HBV and/or HCV, and diagnosed at late stages with complications. This implicated that public health intervention to prevent HBV and HCV infection is of high priority.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2010

The author was performed to investigation of current status of prevalence for anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) among the health-checkup adults in Jeonbuk province. A toal of 1,553 (male 1,046, female 507) serum samples were diagnosed by 3rd generation enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for anti-HCV. Total prevalence of anti-HCV was 0.9%, and prevalence of male and female were 0.8% and 1.2%, respectively. The prevalence of female was higher than male. According to ages group, prevalence of anti-HCV was highest in 60 age group, but it was not found in 20 age group. 14 samples with anti-HCV positive were diagnosed by EIA for hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBs Ag), by chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) for serum albumin, alanine transaminase (ALT) and asparagine transaminase (AST). Positive for HBs Ag was not found. The mean of serum albumin levels was 4.5 g/dL, and mean of ALT and AST were 34.3 IU and 31.9 IU, respectively. Through this study, I know that the prevalence of anti-HCV among adults in Jeonbuk, and suggest that the positive of anti-HCV persons who have lower serum albumin, normal to mild elevations in serum enzymes are chronic hepatitis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6721-6726
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• 2013

Background: Changes in DNA methylation patterns are believed to be early events in hepatocarcinogenesis. A better understanding of methylation states and how they correlate with disease progression will aid in finding potential strategies for early detection of HCC. The aim of our study was to analyze the methylation frequency of tumor suppressor genes, P14, P15, and P73, and a mismatch repair gene (O6MGMT) in HCV related chronic liver disease and HCC to identify candidate epigenetic biomarkers for HCC prediction. Materials and Methods: 516 Egyptian patients with HCV-related liver disease were recruited from Kasr Alaini multidisciplinary HCC clinic from April 2010 to January 2012. Subjects were divided into 4 different clinically defined groups - HCC group (n=208), liver cirrhosis group (n=108), chronic hepatitis C group (n=100), and control group (n=100) - to analyze the methylation status of the target genes in patient plasma using EpiTect Methyl qPCR Array technology. Methylation was considered to be hypermethylated if >10% and/or intermediately methylated if >60%. Results: In our series, a significant difference in the hypermethylation status of all studied genes was noted within the different stages of chronic liver disease and ultimately HCC. Hypermethylation of the P14 gene was detected in 100/208 (48.1%), 52/108 (48.1%), 16/100 (16%) and 8/100 (8%) among HCC, liver cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis and control groups, respectively, with a statistically significant difference between the studied groups (p-value 0.008). We also detected P15 hypermethylation in 92/208 (44.2%), 36/108 (33.3%), 20/100 (20%) and 4/100 (4%), respectively (p-value 0.006). In addition, hypermethylation of P73 was detected in 136/208 (65.4%), 72/108 (66.7%), 32/100 (32%) and 4/100 (4%) (p-value <0.001). Also, we detected O6MGMT hypermethylation in 84/208 (40.4%), 60/108 (55.3%), 20/100 (20%) and 4/100 (4%), respectively (p value <0.001. Conclusions: The epigenetic changes observed in this study indicate that HCC tumors exhibit specific DNA methylation signatures with potential clinical applications in diagnosis and prognosis. In addition, methylation frequency could be used to monitor whether a patient with chronic hepatitis C is likely to progress to liver cirrhosis or even HCC. We can conclude that methylation processes are not just early events in hepatocarcinogenesis but accumulate with progression to cancer.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.379-383
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• 2004

Biphenyl dimethyl dicarboxylate (DDB) has been used for the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis B and drug-induced hepatitis through the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and c ovalent binding of drug metabolites to lipids of microsomes. The bioequivalence of two DDB products was evaluated according to the guidelines of KFDA. The test product was Hepaphil soft capsule(R) made by KMS Pharm. Co. Containing 3 mg DDB and the reference product was Nissel tablet(R) made by Taerim Pharm. Co. Containing 25 mg DDB. Twenty healthy male subjects, 25.4(22~30) years old and 66.7(54~77)kg, were divided into two groups and a randomized $2{\times}2$ cross-over study was employed. After two tablets or two capsules were orally administered, blood was taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentration of DDB in plasma was determined using a validated HPLC method with UV detector. Two pharmacokinetic parameters, $AUC_t$ and $C_{max}$, were calculated and analyzed statistically for the evaluation of bioequivalence of the two products. Analysis of variance was carried out using logarithmically transformed parameter values. The 90% confidence intervals of $AUC_t$ and $C_{max}$ were log 0.91~log1.00 and log 1.05~log 1.15, respectively. These values were within the acceptable bioequivalence intervals of log 0.8 to log 1.25. Thus, the criteria of the KFDA guidelines for the bioequivalence was satisfied, indicating that Hepaphil soft capsule is bioequivalent to Nissel tablet.