China's first therapeutic Hepatitis B vaccine, which will make possible for Hepatitis B carriers and patients to be cured, has been approved for a second phase of clinical trials.

So far 261 patients have successfully overcome the disease with the help of the therapeutic vaccine. crienglish.com reported Monday.

70 percent of patients in the immune clearance phase, which usually occurs later in life, can be cured if vaccinated on time.

However, patients in the immune tolerant phase, which usually takes place at a young age, still show some resistance to the new treatment.

The therapeutic Hepatitis B vaccine is an albumen vaccine.

Two other potential vaccines, including DNA and polypeptide types are also being developed and are expected to be ready for use in five to six years.

(CRI July 13, 2004)