Two hundred and ninety-six million people worldwide are chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV), with around 750,000 deaths each year linked to the development of cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Current treatments based on nucleoside analogues (NA) achieve virological cure in only 5% of cases at 10 years. The virological persistence of HBV is explained by the persistence of cccDNA (covalently-closed circular DNA) in the nucleus of hepatocytes. Complex and poorly understood interactions between immunological and virological responses explain the persistence of ccccDNA. A better understanding of the immunological and virological interactions of the intrahepatic compartment during chronic HBV infection is needed to better understand the mechanisms of viral persistence and for research and development of new drugs to achieve the goal of a functional cure for HBV (defined as the prolonged loss of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) after cessation of treatment, associated with a decrease in intrahepatic cccDNA or its transcriptional inactivation).
The intra-hepatic compartment can be explored by liver biopsy. A fine needle aspiration (FNA) technique is used to characterize primary hepatic tumors, with fewer complications than liver biopsy. One study has validated its use for immunological exploration of the intra-hepatic compartment. Finally, a recently published study confirms a correlation between FNA and liver biopsy virological markers in patients with chronic HBV infection. However, no combined immuno-virological study has been carried out to explore this intra-hepatic compartment by FNA in patients with chronic HBV infection.
The investigators will assess the intrahepatic compartment of patients chronically infected with HBV (+/- hepatitis Delta (HDV)) to understand the mechanisms of viral persistence and characterize host immune responses to HBV. These investigations will make it possible to determine the immuno-virological profiles of patients who would benefit from intensification of antiviral treatment or, potentially, discontinuation of antiviral therapy.
Adult patients (≥ 18 years of age)
Patients chronically infected with hepatitis B virus at any stage of infection
Nucleoside Analogues-treated or untreated
Co-infected or not with HDV
Pregnant, parturient or breast-feeding women,
Patients with decompensated cirrhosis
Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (suspected or proven),
Liver transplant patients (even if liver transplantation for HBV),
Factorial
Investigation of the intrahepatic compartment using the fine needle aspiration (FNA) technique
Procedure/SurgeryThe FNA will be performed at the Croix Rousse digestive pathology day hospital of the Hospices Civils de Lyon by a doctor from the hepatology department who has been trained to perform FNA. After echography, a subcutaneous anesthesia with LIDOCAÏNE is administered. Two FNA passages will be performed for virological and immunological analyses. The patient will be monitored in the supine position for 1 hour after the procedure. A single FNA will be performed during the study.
Creation of a serum biobank
Biological/Vaccine42ml blood sample for study of circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and new circulating hepatitis B markers. These samples will enable us to gain a better understanding of peripheral immune responses and to correlate intrahepatic virological data with new serum markers of HBV.
FNA feasibility and acceptability questionnaire
Other interventionAn FNA feasibility and acceptability questionnaire carried out at inclusion (V1) and after the FNA has been performed.
Interaction between immune response against HBV and intrahepatic HBV viral load
The main objective is to analyze the interaction between intrahepatic adaptive immune responses (Number and functional profile of CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD8+ B lymphocytes) and intrahepatic HBV viral load obtained from FNA. Immune and virological responses obtained from the FNA performed.
Correlation between intrahepatic HBV markers and HBV serum markers
Correlate intrahepatic markers of HBV (copies of intra-hepatic HBV, cccDNA, cccDNA transcriptional activity, HBV RNA) and new serum markers of HBV cure (circulating viral RNA, HBcrAg) and their evolution over time Intrahepatic HBV markers obtained from the FNA performed. New serum markers are taken at each visit for 24 months
Intrahepatic immune and virological responses in relation to the phases of HBV or HDV co-infection
Analyze immune (copies of intra-hepatic HBV, cccDNA and cccDNA transcriptional activity) and virological responses (Number and functional profile of CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD8+ B lymphocytes) as a function of the phases of chronic HBV infection and co-infection with HDV. Immune and virological responses obtained from the FNA performed.
Intrahepatic immunological and virological responses according to the presence or absence of NA
Analyze immune (copies of intra-hepatic HBV, cccDNA and cccDNA transcriptional activity) and virological responses (Number and functional profile of CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD8+ B lymphocytes) according to the presence or absence of NA treatment. Immune and virological responses obtained from the FNA performed.
Assessing patient tolerance and acceptability of FNA
A questionnaire on the acceptability and tolerance of FNA will be given to each patient at the inclusion visit and after FNA has been performed (15-30 days after inclusion). An FNA feasibility and acceptability questionnaire carried out at inclusion (V1) and after FNA had been performed.
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
