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Hepatitis C vaccine: Oxford researchers’ trial ‘promising’
"This is very promising research. There has been rapid development in drugs to treat hepatitis C, but vaccine development has lagged behind. Yet, if we only treat existing infections, we will always be behind the curve. We badly need to improve prevention and this is an excellent step in that direction."
- Charles Gore, chief executive of the Hepatitis C Trust
An early clinical trial of a hepatitis C vaccine has shown "promising" results, according to researchers at Oxford University.
Designing a vaccine has been difficult as the virus changes its appearance, making it hard to find something to target.
Writing in Science Translational Medicine, researchers say their trial on 41 patients shows it is possible.
The Hepatitis C Trust said the findings were very promising.
The virus can go unnoticed for years, but during this time it can cause considerable liver damage.