Yes, a functional cure should be possible. One important difference between HIV and HBV: When an adult is infecting with HIV, almost everyone progresses to chronic infection. No one can clear HIV naturally with their own immune system. read more
Yes, a few rare individuals are elite controllers with special immune systems for HIV, but it's not a common event like it is for HBV control. Therefore, I believe a functional cure is an obtainable goal, and many strategies are progressing in preclinical models and in the clinic toward that goal. read more
Treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection with the viral DNA polymerase inhibitors or pegylated alpha-interferon has led to a significant retardation in HBV-related disease progression and reduction in mortality related to chronic hepatitis B associated liver decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma. read more