One Health

Our Centre for Virus Research (CVR) researchers take a 'molecules to populations' approach to the study of Hepatitis C virus (HCV). The goal is to eliminate HCV by improving diagnostic and treatment pathways.

Molecular

Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs were tested primarily in high-income countries. These countries have limited diversity of HCV strains. The efficacy of DAAs in low-income countries was unknown as these countries have greater strain diversity. 

CVR researchers analysed strain diversity in individuals from 32 African countries. They found that all-but-two strains respond well to DAA treatment. Individuals carrying these two resistant strains can be treated with alternative drug combinations.

The use of effective treatments is central to achieving the World Health Organization goal of eliminating HCV by 2030. This study supports evidence-based decision-making for treatment options in countries where diverse strains are prevalent.

Cell

HCV is one of the most diverse viruses known to infect the human population. Traditional approaches to vaccine development have proven ineffective, leaving at-risk populations exposed. New techniques hold great potential.

Antibodies target the virus' outer coat to neutralise infection. Our researchers pioneered an approach to mimic the relevant component of the outer coat. We are exploring this approach to develop an effective prophylactic vaccine.

The combination of DAA treatments and a prophylactic vaccine could eradicate the virus. This mimicry method could be applied to other viruses which have high diversity and no available vaccine, such as HIV.

Host

DAA drugs have transformed the treatment of HCV. Yet, these drugs fail to cure infection in 5% of patients. The effectiveness of the available alternative regimens varies between these patients.

Our researchers designed a novel operational workflow and bioinformatic resource called HCV-GLUE. It supports clinical decisions around alternative treatment options and is part of a national HCV diagnostic service managed by Public Health England.

Clinicians in the UK, Norway and Denmark use HCV-GLUE to support clinical decision-making. Patients who are unsuccessfully treated receive an alternative drug combination for retreatment.

Population

HCV infects more than 200,000 people in the UK. A coordinated UK-wide approach to HCV research and disease management could better position us to achieve HCV elimination.

CVR scientists co-founded HCV Research UK (HCVRUK). It is the first UK-wide consortium of HCV researchers and clinicians. It brings together major UK liver centres and clinical sites, universities, public health services and charities. The CVR hosts HCVRUK’s integrated biobank. The bank contains samples and clinical information from more than 12,000 UK HCV patients.

The HCVRUK biobank is one of the largest HCV resources in the world. It underpinned an assessment of the effectiveness of DAA drugs in individuals with severe liver disease, lowering mortality and morbidity in this patient group and contributing to the goal of HCV elimination.