Projects Profile
Project Title
Anti-HCV immune responses in chronically infected patients by HCV antigen loaded Microsomes
Partnership
Prof. Ping Wang from Queen Mary, University of London
Prof. Jiming Zhang from Fudan University, China
Project Aim
Prof. Ping Wang’s research at QM has demonstrated that patients with chronic HCV, HBV have substantial number of viral or cancer specific lymphocytes, but these lymphocytes are tolerant and could not response to virus and cancer despite sustained antigen presence in patients. A new form of vaccine has been developed aiming to reverse tolerant state of viral or cancer specific T lymphocytes.
The aim of the project is to investigate the efficacy of the vaccine to induce anti-HJC responses in infected patient sample in China. This will provide key proof-of-concept data to facilitate human clinical trials.
Inspiration for the projects
Hepatitis C poses serious danger to human health. China has the highest number of people with liver virus infection. But currently there is no effective post-exposure therapy to treat Hepatitis C infection.
Innovation Elements
This innovative approach aims to treat post exposure Hepatitis C infection through stimulating the immune response from tolerant T-cells in Hepatitis C patients, which means to reactive a person’s natural immune response to eliminate the Hepatitis C virus.
Testing so far shows much improved efficacy and reduced toxicity in animal models comparing to Dendritic Cells (DC), the current gold standard.
Commercial Potential and Further Development
The data generated in this Proof-of-Concept project will enable the technology moving into human clinical trial stage, which will be a huge step in the way to commercialisation.
