Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41754406›Full record

ReviewPathogens (Basel, Switzerland)2026

Challenges and Solutions in pgRNA Measurement: Toward Improved Monitoring of Hepatitis B Therapy.

Zhenkun Zhu, Jin Wu, Jinyuan Li, Tao Wu

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Zhenkun ZhuDepartment of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Third Clinical Medical College of Ningxia Medical University, People's Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, No. 255 Zhengyuan North Street, Jinfeng District, Yinchuan 750002, China.ORCID 0009-0004-8776-9687
Jin WuDepartment of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Third Clinical Medical College of Ningxia Medical University, People's Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, No. 255 Zhengyuan North Street, Jinfeng District, Yinchuan 750002, China.
Jinyuan LiDepartment of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Third Clinical Medical College of Ningxia Medical University, People's Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, No. 255 Zhengyuan North Street, Jinfeng District, Yinchuan 750002, China.
Tao WuDepartment of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Third Clinical Medical College of Ningxia Medical University, People's Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, No. 255 Zhengyuan North Street, Jinfeng District, Yinchuan 750002, China.ORCID 0000-0002-7784-7854

Funding

The Interdisciplinary Construction Program of the College of Laboratory Medicine at Ningxia Medical University JCXK2025006The Natural Science Foundation of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region 2023AAC02057
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) pregenomic RNA (pgRNA), transcribed directly from nuclear covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), is an essential component in viral replication. The synthesis and encapsidation of pgRNA depend significantly on the transcriptional activity of cccDNA, making serum pgRNA a recently recognized non-invasive biomarker for evaluating cccDNA activity. However, its clinical application is limited by factors including preanalytical variables, methodological inconsistencies in detection, and a lack of standardization in quantification. This review provides an overview of the biological origins of pgRNA and its critical role in the HBV replication cycle, highlighting the stability challenges encountered during the collection, processing, and storage of plasma/serum samples. Furthermore, it analyzes recent significant advancements in pgRNA detection technologies, encompassing modified reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), nucleocapsid-captured methodologies, automated testing platforms, multiplex digital PCR, isothermal amplification, and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-based assays. A comparison of these technologies revealed that discrepancies in pgRNA quantification arise primarily from variations in sample processing and measurement systems, rather than from inherent biological limitations. Therefore, establishing standardized sample handling procedures, harmonized detection methods, and unified measurement systems is imperative before pgRNA can be reliably applied to monitor treatment, guide cessation decisions, or evaluate cure in chronic hepatitis B.

Indexed as

Hepatitis BHepatitis B virusRNA, ViralAntiviral AgentsDNA, CircularDNA, ViralHumansRNAVirus ReplicationAntiviral AgentsDNA, CircularDNA, ViralpgRNARNARNA, ViralcccDNAdetection methodologieshepatitis B viruspregenomic RNAsample preservation

Identifiers

PMID41754406
PMCPMC12943074

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.