Researchers reported Thursday that in two international studies, about 1 in 5 patients given the experimental drug for six months saw their virus reduced to levels low enough that the immune system could keep it in check.

New research suggests a first-of-its-kind drug for hepatitis B may let some patients stop treatment without showing signs of the dangerous liver virus.

An experimental GSK drug helped 1 in 5 patients with chronic hepatitis B achieve what's known as a functional cure, vastly outpacing current treatments.