Dynamics of a fractional optimal control HBV infection model with capsids and CTL immune response

Abstract

This paper deals with a fractional optimal control problem model that describes the interactions between hepatitis B virus (HBV) with HBV DNA-containing capsids, liver cells (hepatocytes), and the cytotoxic T-cell immune response. Optimal controls represent the effectiveness of drug therapy in inhibiting viral production and preventing new infections. The optimality system is derived and solved numerically. Our results also show that optimal treatment strategies reduce viral load and increase the number of uninfected cells, which improves the patient's quality of life.