Targeting cccDNA for Degradation: Endogenous- and Exogenous-Based Methods of Nuclear-Localized DNA Destruction in the Context of Chronic Hepatitis B Infection

The ability to facilitate cellular degradation or achieve therapeutic destruction of targeted noxious DNA is recognized as a major goal for the treatment of various viral infections. In the case of chronic hepatitis B, targeted DNA degradation of the episomal viral genome found in the nucleus of infected hepatocytes is key to achieving a true cure. However, mechanisms of targeted DNA degradation without excessive broadscale cytotoxicity are still under investigation by researchers. This review summarizes several current systems known to have the ability to target nuclear-localized DNA, including endogenous methods of DNA degradation that may be harnessed therapeutically and exogenous methods such as CRISPR or other xenobiotics, with a focus on their potential application in hepatitis B treatment.