World Hepatitis Day 2022: Overview of the work supported by the agency to advance research
Despite an effective vaccine being available, hepatitis B remains a major global public health problem. According to the WHO, 296 million people worldwide had chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in 2019 – a disease that is also the leading cause of liver cancer. HBV and its complications were responsible for 820 000 deaths in 2019.
Co-infection with the hepatitis D virus (HDV) leads to worsening of HBV and a higher risk of developing cirrhosis or cancer of the liver. There are currently no curative treatments for these two forms of hepatitis.
As for hepatitis C, while infections with the virus are not usually fatal, it can cause acute and chronic liver inflammation. According to the WHO, 58 million people have chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, with 1.5 million new infections each year. In 2019, it caused the deaths of 290 000 people. There is currently no effective vaccine against HCV and despite the availability of antiviral drugs that help cure over 95% of those infected, access to them remains limited.
ANRS | Emerging Infectious Diseases continues to mobilize in order to further research into viral hepatitis and provide solutions to its millions of sufferers.
On the occasion of World Hepatitis Day, we invite you to discover two projects:
- ICONE: to evaluate the efficacy of a community-based model for mass HCV screening among active drug users in Montpellier. Find out more: https://www.anrs.fr/fr/actualites/1123/journee-mondiale-contre-lhepatite-focus-sur-le-projet-icone
- TA-PROHM: to design and evaluate a program to reduce the mother-to-child transmission of HBV in Cambodia using the tools available locally: https://www.anrs.fr/en/actualites/1126/world-hepatitis-day-focus-ta-prohm-project
ANRS | Emerging Infectious Diseases has been involved for almost a decade in research programs aimed at curing HBV and HDV. Every year, the ANRS HBV Cure Task Force holds a workshop attended by international experts to take stock of advances in the understanding of chronic HBV and HDV, as well as to discuss new therapeutic targets and new treatments. The 9th ANRS HBV Cure workshop was held on July 5 of this year. This kit also contains the key takeaways from the workshop according to Task Force coordinator Fabien Zoulim and a focus on Julie Lucifora’s research into HBV and HDV.
Articles in this kit:
- Focus on ICONE, a project to reduce hepatitis C among drug users: https://www.anrs.fr/fr/actualites/1123/journee-mondiale-contre-lhepatite-focus-sur-le-projet-icone
- Focus on TA-PROHM, a project to limit mother-child transmission of the hepatitis B virus in Cambodia: https://www.anrs.fr/en/actualites/1126/world-hepatitis-day-focus-ta-prohm-project
- Interview with Fabien Zoulim and focus on Julie Lucifora’s research: https://www.anrs.fr/en/actualites/1124/world-hepatitis-day-interview-fabien-zoulim-and-focus-julie-luciforas-research
Press contact:
Communication and Scientific Information Department: information@anrs.fr