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de Lédinghen V, Fougerou-Leurent C, Le Pabic E, Pol S, Alfaiate D, Lacombe K, Hilleret MN, Lascoux-Combe C, Minello A, Billaud E, Rosa I, Gervais A, Ratziu V, Ganne N, Pageaux GP, Leroy V, Loustaud-Ratti V, Mathurin P, Chas J, Jezequel C, Métivier S, Dumortier J, Arpurt JP, Asselah T, Roche B, Le Gruyer A, Valantin MA, Scholtès C, Gordien E, Tual C, Kortebi A, Coulibaly F, Rosenthal E, Subic-Levrero M, Roulot D, Zoulim F. Treatment with bulevirtide in HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis D: ANRS HD EP01 BuleDelta and compassionate cohort. JHEP Rep 2024; 6:101057. [PMID: 39045338 PMCID: PMC11264178 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2024.101057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims In France, bulevirtide (BLV) became available in September 2019 through an early access program to treat patients with HDV. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of BLV in patients with HIV and HDV coinfection. Methods Patients received BLV 2 mg ± pegylated interferon-α (pegIFNα) according to the physician's decision. The primary endpoint (per-protocol analysis) was the virological response rate at Week 48, defined as the proportion of patients with undetectable serum HDV RNA or a HDV RNA decline >2 log10 IU/ml from baseline. Results The characteristics of the 38 patients were as follows: 28 male, mean age 47.7 years, and mean baseline HDV RNA viral load 5.7 ± 1.2 log10 IU/ml. Median HIV viral load and mean CD4 count were 32 (30-65) copies/ml and 566 ± 307/mm3, respectively. Eight patients stopped treatment before Week 48. At Week 48, 10 of 19 patients (52.6%) in the 2 mg BLV group and five of seven patients (71.4%) in the 2 mg BLV + pegIFNɑ group had reached virological response (no HDV RNA available in four patients). At Week 48, seven of 19 patients in the 2 mg BLV group and three of six patients in the 2 mg BLV + pegIFNɑ group had a combined response (virological response and normal alanine aminotransferase level). Conclusions Adults living with HIV coinfected with HDV can be treated by BLV with a virological response in more than 50% of patients. The combination of BLV and pegIFNɑ showed a strong virological response. Impact and implications Bulevirtide is the only EMA-approved drug for HDV treatment, and we showed that it can be used in adults living with HIV, with an overall good tolerability. Bulevirtide induces a virological response in more than 50% of patients, suggesting that bulevirtide should be considered as a first-line therapy in this specific population. Bulevirtide in combination with pegIFNα could be used in patients without pegIFNα contraindication. No specific drug-drug interaction is reported. Bulevirtide is the only EMA-approved drug for HDV treatment, and we showed that it can be used in adults living with HIV, with an overall good tolerability. Bulevirtide induces a virological response in more than 50% of patients, suggesting that bulevirtide should be considered as a first-line therapy in this specific population. Bulevirtide in combination with pegIFNα could be used in patients without pegIFNα contraindication. No specific drug-drug interaction is reported. Bulevirtide is the only EMA-approved drug for HDV treatment, and we showed that it can be used in adults living with HIV, with an overall good tolerability. Bulevirtide induces a virological response in more than 50% of patients, suggesting that bulevirtide should be considered as a first-line therapy in this specific population. Bulevirtide in combination with pegIFNα could be used in patients without pegIFNα contraindication. No specific drug-drug interaction is reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor de Lédinghen
- Hepatology Unit, Hôpital Haut Lévêque, Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, & INSERM U1312, Bordeaux University, Bordeaux, France
| | | | | | - Stanislas Pol
- Université Paris Cité; Centre Hospitalier Cochin Port Royal, DMU Cancérologie et spécialités médico-chirurgicales, Service d’Hépatologie, Paris, France
| | - Dulce Alfaiate
- Infectious Diseases Department, Hôpital de la Croix Rousse, Lyon University Hospitals, Lyon, France
| | - Karine Lacombe
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm IMPLESP, Infectious Diseases Unit, St Antoine Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Noëlle Hilleret
- Service d’Hépato-Gastroentérologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Grenoble, France
| | - Caroline Lascoux-Combe
- Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Service des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Paris, France
| | - Anne Minello
- Service d’Hépato-Gastroentérologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Dijon, France
| | - Eric Billaud
- Service de Maladies Infectieuses, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Nantes, France
| | - Isabelle Rosa
- Service d’Hépato-Gastroentérologie, Centre Hospitalier Inter-communal, Créteil, France
| | - Anne Gervais
- Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Bichat Claude Bernard, Service des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Paris, France
| | - Vlad Ratziu
- Sorbonne Université, Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition, Hospital Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Vincent Leroy
- Service d’Héatologie, AP-HP Henri Mondor, Créteil, France
| | - Véronique Loustaud-Ratti
- Hepato-gastroenterology Department, University Hospital Center and INSERM U 1248, Limoges University, Limoges, France
| | - Philippe Mathurin
- Service d'Hépato-Gastroentérologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Lille, France
| | - Julie Chas
- France Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Tenon, Service des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Paris, France
| | | | - Sophie Métivier
- Service d'Hépato-Gastroentérologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Toulouse, France
| | - Jérôme Dumortier
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Fédération des Spécialités digestives, et Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Arpurt
- Service d'Hépato-Gastroentérologie, Centre Hospitalier Général, Avignon, France
| | - Tarik Asselah
- Université Paris-Cité, Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Inserm U1149, Department of Hepatology, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
| | - Bruno Roche
- France Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Paul Brousse, Service d’Hépatologie, Villejuif, France
| | - Antonia Le Gruyer
- Service d'Hépato-Gastroentérologie, Centre Hospitalier Général, Saint-Brieuc, France
| | - Marc-Antoine Valantin
- Sorbonne University, Infectious Diseases Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, AP-HP, Pierre Louis Epidemiology and Public Health Institute (iPLESP), INSERM U1136, Paris, France
| | - Caroline Scholtès
- Service de Virologie, Hôpital de la Croix Rousse, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Emmanuel Gordien
- National Reference Centre for Viral Hepatitis B, C and Delta, Department of Virology, Paris-Seine-Saint-Denis University Hospitals, Bobigny, France
| | | | | | | | - Eric Rosenthal
- ANRS MIE, PariSanté Campus, 2 rue d’Oradour sur Glane, Paris, France
| | - Miroslava Subic-Levrero
- Hepatology Department, Hospices Civils de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CRCL; Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | | | - Fabien Zoulim
- Hepatology Department, Hospices Civils de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CRCL; Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
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Sapuk A, Steinhoff L, Huenninghaus K, Willuweit K, Rashidi Alavijeh J, Hild B, Asar L, Schmidt HH, Schramm C. Long-Term Treatment with Bulevirtide in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis D and Advanced Chronic Liver Disease. Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 2024:2364031. [PMID: 39081834 PMCID: PMC11288691 DOI: 10.1155/2024/2364031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Bulevirtide (BLV) is approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis D (CHD). Because only limited long-term experience has been reported, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of BLV treatment in patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD). We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with CHD who received BLV 2 mg/day for >12 months at a tertiary center. Virological response (VR) was defined as a reduction in hepatitis delta virus-ribonucleic acid (HDV-RNA) ≥2 log10 from baseline or HDV-RNA negativity and biochemical response (BR) as gender-specific normalization of transaminases. We identified 14 patients (9 men, 5 women; median age of 48 years; interquartile range (IQR) of 37-55), of whom 12 (86%) had suggested or assumed ACLD according to Baveno VI criteria. The median duration of BLV treatment was 26 months (IQR 17-27). During treatment, the mean HDV-RNA level decreased from log10 5.58 IU/ml to levels between log10 2.19 IU/ml and log10 3.19 IU/ml. HDV-RNA negativity was achieved in up to 63% after 24 months. VR and BR were 86% and 43% after 12 months, 90% and 60% after 18 months, 75% and 75% after 24 months, and 100% and 50% after 30 months, respectively. Two nonpersisting viral breakthroughs were observed after 24 months of treatment. The Child Pugh score and model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores remained stable or improved in 12 patients (86%). Only one patient developed hepatic decompensation after 24 months of treatment with ascites requiring large-volume paracentesis which was not associated with viral breakthrough, portal vein thrombosis, or hepatocellular carcinoma. Treatment with BLV beyond one year is effective and safe for patients with CHD and ACLD. Liver function remained stable or improved during treatment in the vast majority of patients, and only one case of hepatic decompensation occurred during a median follow-up of 26 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayaz Sapuk
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplantational MedicineUniversity Hospital Essen, and Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Leonie Steinhoff
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplantational MedicineUniversity Hospital Essen, and Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Kristin Huenninghaus
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplantational MedicineUniversity Hospital Essen, and Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Katharina Willuweit
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplantational MedicineUniversity Hospital Essen, and Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jassin Rashidi Alavijeh
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplantational MedicineUniversity Hospital Essen, and Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Benedikt Hild
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplantational MedicineUniversity Hospital Essen, and Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Lucia Asar
- Institute for VirologyUniversity Hospital Essen, and Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Hartmut H. Schmidt
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplantational MedicineUniversity Hospital Essen, and Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Christoph Schramm
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplantational MedicineUniversity Hospital Essen, and Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Lok ASF. Toward a Functional Cure for Hepatitis B. Gut Liver 2024; 18:593-601. [PMID: 38533651 PMCID: PMC11249939 DOI: 10.5009/gnl240023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Current treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, pegylated interferon-α (pegIFN-α) and nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA), can suppress HBV replication, reverse liver inflammation and fibrosis, and decrease risks of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, but hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss is rare. Functional HBV cure is defined as undetectable HBsAg and unquantifiable serum HBV DNA for at least 24 weeks after a finite course of therapy. This requires suppression of HBV replication and viral protein production as well as restoration of immune response to HBV. Direct-acting antivirals targeting virus entry, capsid assembly, viral protein production and secretion are in clinical trials. In parallel, immune modulatory therapies to stimulate HBV-specific immune response and to remove immune blockade are being tested. Clinical trials of direct-acting antivirals alone or immune modulatory therapies alone have not been successful in achieving HBV cure. Recent combinations of direct-acting antivirals and immune modulatory therapies have shown promising results particularly with combinations that included pegIFN-α. These results need to be confirmed in larger studies with longer follow-up, and further work is needed to develop simpler regimens with fewer drugs that can be administered orally and safely. While there is a strong desire to develop finite therapies that can achieve HBV cure, safety is paramount and new therapies must provide incremental value compared to standard of care, which is predominantly long-term NA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S. F. Lok
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Toniutto P, Falleti E, Cmet S, Cussigh A, Degasperi E, Anolli MP, Sambarino D, Facchetti F, Borghi M, Perbellini R, Monico S, Lampertico P. Sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) polymorphisms may influence HDV RNA load and early response to bulevirtide. J Hepatol 2024:S0168-8278(24)02319-5. [PMID: 38901675 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Genetic polymorphisms in the sodium taurocholate cotransporting peptide (NTCP encoded by SLC10A1) have been described, but their role in untreated and treated patients with chronic hepatitis delta (CHD) remains unknown. Virological response (VR) to the NTCP inhibitor bulevirtide (BLV) was achieved at week 48 by >70% of patients with CHD, but nearly 15% experienced virological non-response (VNR) or partial response (PR). This study aimed to evaluate whether NTCP genetic polymorphisms affect baseline HDV RNA load and response to BLV in patients with CHD. METHODS BLV-untreated and -treated patients were enrolled in a retrospective cross-sectional and longitudinal study. Clinical and virological characteristics were collected at baseline and up to 96 weeks in the BLV-treated patients. NTCP genetic polymorphisms were identified by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS Of the six NTCP polymorphisms studied in 209 untreated patients with CHD, carriers of the rs17556915 TT/CC (n = 142) compared to CT (n = 67) genotype presented with higher median HDV RNA levels (5.39 vs. 4.75 log10 IU/ml, p = 0.004). Of 209 patients receiving BLV monotherapy at 2 mg/day, 76 were evaluated at week 24 and 40 up to week 96. Higher mean baseline HDV RNA levels were confirmed in TT/CC (n = 43) compared to CT (n = 33) carriers (5.38 vs. 4.72 log10 IU/ml, p = 0.010). Although 24-week VR was comparable between TT/CC and CT carriers (25/43 vs. 17/33, p = 0.565), the former group presented VNR more often than PR (9/11 vs. 9/23, p = 0.02) at week 24. 7/9 TT/CC genotype carriers remained VNR at week 48 of BLV treatment. CONCLUSIONS The NTCP rs17556915 C>T genetic polymorphisms may influence baseline HDV RNA load both in BLV-untreated and -treated patients with CHD and may contribute to identifying patients with different early virological responses to BLV. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS Although several sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) genetic polymorphisms have been described, no data are available on their potential role in modifying HDV RNA load or treatment response to bulevirtide (BLV) in patients with chronic hepatitis delta (CHD). In this study, we demonstrated that patients with CHD, either treated or untreated, carrying NTCP rs17556915 TT/CC, presented higher baseline HDV RNA levels compared to those with the CT genotype. Higher HDV RNA levels in TT/CC carriers compared to CT carriers were also confirmed in patients with CHD treated with BLV monotherapy up to 96 weeks. Furthermore, carriers of TT/CC, compared to CT genotype, more frequently showed viral non-response (VNR) than partial response (PR) at week 24 of BLV treatment, and 7/9 TT/CC genotype carriers remained VNR at week 48 of BLV treatment. This is the first study demonstrating a potential role of NTCP genetic polymorphisms in influencing HDV viral load and early virological response to BLV monotherapy. Since no direct HDV resistance to BLV has been described so far, if confirmed in larger studies, the genetic polymorphisms in NTCP may help identify patients with different patterns of early virological response to BLV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edmondo Falleti
- Hepatology and Liver Transplantation Unit, University of Udine, Italy
| | - Sara Cmet
- Clinical Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Friuli Centrale, Udine, Italy
| | - Annarosa Cussigh
- Clinical Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Friuli Centrale, Udine, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Degasperi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Anolli
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Dana Sambarino
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Floriana Facchetti
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Borghi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Riccardo Perbellini
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Monico
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Lampertico
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; CRC "A. M. and A. Migliavacca" Center for Liver Disease, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; D-SOLVE consortium, an EU Horizon Europe funded project (No 101057917)
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5
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Koc ÖM, Vaes B, Robaeys G, Catalan CF, Aertgeerts B, Nevens F. Clinical audit of quality of care among patients with viral hepatitis in primary care in a low endemic region. Fam Pract 2024:cmae019. [PMID: 38887051 DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmae019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The current hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening practices may fail to detect many infected patients who could benefit from new therapeutic agents to limit progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. OBJECTIVES This study assessed the test positivity rate and cascade of care of viral hepatitis patients in primary care in a low endemic region as well as the testing policy of abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level. METHODS This is a retrospective clinical audit among primary health care practices in Flanders, Belgium, assessing patients with an active medical file between 2019 and 2021. RESULTS A total of 84/89 (94.4%) primary health care practices participated representing 621,573 patients of which 1069 patients (0.17%) were registered as having viral hepatitis, not further specified. Detailed information was available from 38 practices representing 243,723/621,573 (39.2%) patients of which 169 (0.07%) were HBsAg positive and 99 (0.04%) anti-HCV positive. A total of 96/134(71.6%) chronic HBV-infected and 31/77(40.3%) chronic HCV-infected patients were referred to a hepatologist. A total of 30,573/621,573(4.9%) patients had an abnormal ALT level, and by at random selection, more detailed information was obtained on 211 patients. Information on high-risk groups was missing in up to 60%. In patients with abnormal ALT level, HBsAg and anti-HCV testing were conducted in 37/211(17.5%) and 25/211(11.8%), respectively. CONCLUSION In a low endemic region, the testing rate and cascade of care of HBV and HCV-infected patients can be improved in primary care, especially in high-risk groups and patients with abnormal ALT levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Özgür M Koc
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), University Maastricht, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Bert Vaes
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Geert Robaeys
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Cristian F Catalan
- Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics Centre (L-BioStat), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bert Aertgeerts
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- CEBAM, Belgian Centre for Evidence Based Medicine, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frederik Nevens
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Usuda D, Kaneoka Y, Ono R, Kato M, Sugawara Y, Shimizu R, Inami T, Nakajima E, Tsuge S, Sakurai R, Kawai K, Matsubara S, Tanaka R, Suzuki M, Shimozawa S, Hotchi Y, Osugi I, Katou R, Ito S, Mishima K, Kondo A, Mizuno K, Takami H, Komatsu T, Nomura T, Sugita M. Current perspectives of viral hepatitis. World J Gastroenterol 2024; 30:2402-2417. [PMID: 38764770 PMCID: PMC11099385 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i18.2402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Viral hepatitis represents a major danger to public health, and is a globally leading cause of death. The five liver-specific viruses: Hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, hepatitis D virus, and hepatitis E virus, each have their own unique epidemiology, structural biology, transmission, endemic patterns, risk of liver complications, and response to antiviral therapies. There remain few options for treatment, in spite of the increasing prevalence of viral-hepatitis-caused liver disease. Furthermore, chronic viral hepatitis is a leading worldwide cause of both liver-related morbidity and mortality, even though effective treatments are available that could reduce or prevent most patients' complications. In 2016, the World Health Organization released its plan to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by the year 2030, along with a discussion of current gaps and prospects for both regional and global eradication of viral hepatitis. Today, treatment is sufficiently able to prevent the disease from reaching advanced phases. However, future therapies must be extremely safe, and should ideally limit the period of treatment necessary. A better understanding of pathogenesis will prove beneficial in the development of potential treatment strategies targeting infections by viral hepatitis. This review aims to summarize the current state of knowledge on each type of viral hepatitis, together with major innovations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Usuda
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Kaneoka
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Rikuo Ono
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masashi Kato
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuto Sugawara
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Runa Shimizu
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomotari Inami
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eri Nakajima
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shiho Tsuge
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Riki Sakurai
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenji Kawai
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shun Matsubara
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Risa Tanaka
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Suzuki
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shintaro Shimozawa
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuta Hotchi
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ippei Osugi
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Risa Katou
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sakurako Ito
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kentaro Mishima
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akihiko Kondo
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiko Mizuno
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Takami
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takayuki Komatsu
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Sports Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Juntendo University, Bunkyo 113-8421, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomohisa Nomura
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Manabu Sugita
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
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Wedemeyer H, Aleman S, Brunetto M, Blank A, Andreone P, Bogomolov P, Chulanov V, Mamonova N, Geyvandova N, Morozov V, Sagalova O, Stepanova T, Berger A, Ciesek S, Manuilov D, Mercier RC, Da BL, Chee GM, Li M, Flaherty JF, Lau AH, Osinusi A, Schulze Zur Wiesch J, Cornberg M, Zeuzem S, Lampertico P. Bulevirtide monotherapy in patients with chronic HDV: Efficacy and safety results through week 96 from a phase III randomized trial. J Hepatol 2024:S0168-8278(24)00333-7. [PMID: 38734383 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Bulevirtide (BLV), a first-in-class entry inhibitor, is approved in Europe for the treatment of chronic hepatitis delta (CHD). BLV monotherapy was superior to delayed treatment at week (W) 48, the primary efficacy endpoint, in the MYR301 study (NCT03852719). Here, we assessed if continued BLV therapy until W96 would improve virologic and biochemical response rates, particularly among patients who did not achieve virologic response at W24. METHODS In this ongoing, open-label, randomized phase III study, patients with CHD (N = 150) were randomized (1:1:1) to treatment with BLV 2 mg/day (n = 49) or 10 mg/day (n = 50), each for 144 weeks, or to delayed treatment for 48 weeks followed by BLV 10 mg/day for 96 weeks (n = 51). Combined response was defined as undetectable hepatitis delta virus (HDV) RNA or a decrease in HDV RNA by ≥2 log10 IU/ml from baseline and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization. Other endpoints included virologic response, ALT normalization, and change in HDV RNA. RESULTS Of 150 patients, 143 (95%) completed 96 weeks of the study. Efficacy responses were maintained and/or improved between W48 and W96, with similar combined, virologic, and biochemical response rates between BLV 2 and 10 mg. Of the patients with a suboptimal early virologic response at W24, 43% of non-responders and 82% of partial responders achieved virologic response at W96. Biochemical improvement often occurred independently of virologic response. Adverse events were mostly mild, with no serious adverse events related to BLV. CONCLUSIONS Virologic and biochemical responses were maintained and/or increased with longer term BLV therapy, including in those with suboptimal early virologic response. BLV monotherapy for CHD was safe and well tolerated through W96. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS In July 2023, bulevirtide was fully approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis delta (CHD) in Europe based on clinical study results from up to 48 weeks of treatment. Understanding the efficacy and safety of bulevirtide over the longer term is important for healthcare providers. In this analysis, we demonstrate that bulevirtide monotherapy for 96 weeks in patients with CHD was associated with continued improvements in combined, virologic, and biochemical responses as well as liver stiffness from week 48 at both the 2 mg and 10 mg doses. Patients with suboptimal virologic responses to bulevirtide at week 24 also benefited from continued therapy, with the majority achieving virologic response or biochemical improvement by week 96. CLINICAL TRIALS GOV IDENTIFIER NCT03852719.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heiner Wedemeyer
- Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Klinik für Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie, Infektiologie und Endokrinologie, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Soo Aleman
- Karolinska University Hospital/Karolinska Institute, Department of Infectious Diseases, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maurizia Brunetto
- University Hospital of Pisa, Hepatology Unit, Reference Center of the Tuscany Region for Chronic Liver Disease and Cancer, Pisa, Italy; University of Pisa, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antje Blank
- Heidelberg University Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Pietro Andreone
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Internal Medicine, Baggiovara Hospital, Modena, Italy
| | - Pavel Bogomolov
- State Budgetary Institution of Health Care of Moscow Region, Moscow Regional Research Clinical Institute Named After M.F. Vladimirsky, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Vladimir Chulanov
- FSBI National Research Medical Center for Phthisiopulmonology and Infectious Diseases of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Nina Mamonova
- FSBI National Research Medical Center for Phthisiopulmonology and Infectious Diseases of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | | | | | - Olga Sagalova
- Federal State-Funded Institution of Higher Education, South Ural State Medical University of Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Chelyabinsk, Russian Federation
| | | | - Annemarie Berger
- Institute for Medical Virology, German Centre for Infection Research, External Partner Site Frankfurt, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute for Medical Virology, German Centre for Infection Research, External Partner Site Frankfurt, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | | | - Ben L Da
- Gilead Sciences, Foster City, CA, United States
| | | | - Mingyang Li
- Gilead Sciences, Foster City, CA, United States
| | | | | | - Anu Osinusi
- Gilead Sciences, Foster City, CA, United States
| | - Julian Schulze Zur Wiesch
- Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Medizinische Klinik Studienambulanz Hepatologie, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Klinik für Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie, Infektiologie und Endokrinologie, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stefan Zeuzem
- University Hospital Frankfurt, Department of Medicine, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Pietro Lampertico
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; CRC A. M. and A. Migliavacca Center for Liver Disease, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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8
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Souleiman R, Cornberg M. [Diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis B and D in 2024]. INNERE MEDIZIN (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 65:296-307. [PMID: 38418664 DOI: 10.1007/s00108-024-01671-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Despite the availability of vaccines, hepatitis B remains a significant cause of fulminant hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. The increase in reported hepatitis B cases in Germany is attributed to factors such as immigration and the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) screening introduced in 2020 as part of health check-ups. The indication for treatment depends on various factors, including the level of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and inflammatory activity. Nucleos(t)ide analogues are the preferred treatment option, but functional cure, defined as HBsAg loss, is rare. In principle, treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogues should usually be discontinued after loss of HBsAg, but can be stopped earlier under certain conditions and is currently the subject of ongoing research. Pregnancy and immunosuppression in the context of hepatitis B require special attention. In addition, a possible hepatitis D virus co-infection must always be taken into account, which is why every HBsAg-positive person should be tested for anti-HDV. Since 2020, the entry inhibitor bulevirtide has become a new treatment option alongside pegylated interferon alfa, which represents a significant advance in the treatment landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roni Souleiman
- Klinik für Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie, Infektiologie, und Endokrinologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland
- Zentrum für Individualisierte Infektionsmedizin (CiiM), Hannover, Deutschland
- Partnerstandort Hannover-Braunschweig, Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Hannover, Deutschland
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Klinik für Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie, Infektiologie, und Endokrinologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland.
- Zentrum für Individualisierte Infektionsmedizin (CiiM), Hannover, Deutschland.
- Partnerstandort Hannover-Braunschweig, Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Hannover, Deutschland.
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9
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Soriano V, Moreno-Torres V, Treviño A, de Jesús F, Corral O, de Mendoza C. Prospects for Controlling Hepatitis B Globally. Pathogens 2024; 13:291. [PMID: 38668246 PMCID: PMC11054959 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13040291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is highly prevalent globally. Over 250 million people suffer from chronic hepatitis B, and more than 800,000 patients die each year due to hepatitis B complications, including liver cancer. Although protective HBV vaccines are recommended for all newborns, global coverage is suboptimal. In adults, sexual transmission is by far the most frequent route of contagion. The WHO estimates that 1.5 million new HBV infections occur annually. Oral nucleos(t)ide analogues entecavir and tenofovir are the most frequent antivirals prescribed as HBV therapy. Almost all patients adherent to the medication achieve undetectable plasma viremia beyond 6 months of monotherapy. However, less than 5% achieve anti-HBs seroconversion, and viral rebound occurs following drug discontinuation. Therefore, nucleos(t)ide analogues need to be lifelong. New long-acting formulations of tenofovir and entecavir are being developed that will maximize treatment benefit and overcome adherence barriers. Furthermore, new antiviral agents are in development, including entry inhibitors, capside assembly modulators, and RNA interference molecules. The use of combination therapy pursues a functional HBV cure, meaning it is negative for both circulating HBV-DNA and HBsAg. Even when this goal is achieved, the cccDNA reservoir within infected hepatocytes remains a signal of past infection, and HBV can reactivate under immune suppression. Therefore, new gene therapies, including gene editing, are eagerly being pursued to silence or definitively disrupt HBV genomes within infected hepatocytes and, in this way, ultimately cure hepatitis B. At this time, three actions can be taken to push HBV eradication globally: (1) expand universal newborn HBV vaccination; (2) perform once-in-life testing of all adults to identify susceptible HBV persons that could be vaccinated (or re-vaccinated) and unveil asymptomatic carriers that could benefit from treatment; and (3) provide earlier antiviral therapy to chronic HBV carriers, as being aviremic reduces the risk of both clinical progression and transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Soriano
- UNIR Health Sciences School & Medical Center, 28010 Madrid, Spain
| | - Víctor Moreno-Torres
- UNIR Health Sciences School & Medical Center, 28010 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Internal Medicine, Puerta de Hierro University Hospital, Majadahonda, 28222 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Treviño
- UNIR Health Sciences School & Medical Center, 28010 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Octavio Corral
- UNIR Health Sciences School & Medical Center, 28010 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen de Mendoza
- Department of Internal Medicine, Puerta de Hierro University Hospital, Majadahonda, 28222 Madrid, Spain
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10
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Sandmann L, Degasperi E, Port K, Aleman S, Wallin JJ, Manuilov D, Da BL, Cornberg M, Lampertico P, Maasoumy B, Wedemeyer H, Deterding K. Liver stiffness measurement as a noninvasive method for the diagnosis of liver cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis D virus infection. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2024; 59:752-761. [PMID: 38212890 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Noninvasive tests (NITs) have been proposed as an alternative to liver biopsy for diagnosing liver cirrhosis. The evidence of NIT performance in patients with chronic hepatitis D (CHD) is limited. AIMS To evaluate the diagnostic performance of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and other NITs in CHD patients. METHODS We evaluated the diagnostic performance of LSM by transient elastography for the detection of liver cirrhosis in a retrospective, multicentre cohort of 144 CHD patients with paired (±6 months) LSM and liver biopsies. RESULTS Cirrhosis was diagnosed histologically in 22 patients (15.3%). Mean LSM was significantly higher in patients with cirrhosis compared to those without fibrosis (23.4 vs 10.2 kPa, p < 0.0001) or with intermediate fibrosis (23.4 vs 13.5 kPa, p < 0.0001). In the detection of liver cirrhosis, LSM was superior to other NITs (AUROCs: 0.89 [LSM], 0.87 [D4FS], 0.74 [APRI], 0.73 [FIB-4], and 0.69 [AAR]). The optimal cut-off for identifying patients with liver cirrhosis was ≥15.2 kPa (Se 91%, Sp 84%, PPV 50%, NPV 98%). The ideal cut-off for diagnosing non-advanced liver fibrosis (Metavir ≤2) was <10.2 kPa (Se 55%, Sp 86%, PPV 90%, NPV 45%), correctly identifying 90% of patients. Data were validated in an independent cohort of 132 CHD patients. CONCLUSIONS LSM is a useful tool for identifying patients at risk for liver cirrhosis and is superior to other NITs. The cut-offs of <10.2 and < 15.2 kPa reliably diagnose non-advanced liver fibrosis and exclude cirrhosis in the majority of patients. However, LSM cannot completely replace liver biopsy in CHD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Sandmann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- D-SOLVE Consortium, an EU Horizon Europe Funded Project (no. 101057917)
| | - Elisabetta Degasperi
- D-SOLVE Consortium, an EU Horizon Europe Funded Project (no. 101057917)
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, CRC "A. M. and A. Migliavacca" Center for Liver Disease, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Kerstin Port
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Soo Aleman
- D-SOLVE Consortium, an EU Horizon Europe Funded Project (no. 101057917)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Infectious Diseases, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | - Ben L Da
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, USA
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- D-SOLVE Consortium, an EU Horizon Europe Funded Project (no. 101057917)
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover/Braunschweig, Germany
- Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research/Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Pietro Lampertico
- D-SOLVE Consortium, an EU Horizon Europe Funded Project (no. 101057917)
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, CRC "A. M. and A. Migliavacca" Center for Liver Disease, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Benjamin Maasoumy
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover/Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- D-SOLVE Consortium, an EU Horizon Europe Funded Project (no. 101057917)
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover/Braunschweig, Germany
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Katja Deterding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
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11
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d'Arminio Monforte A, Tavelli A, Salpini R, Piermatteo L, D'Anna S, Carrara S, Malagnino V, Mazzotta V, Brancaccio G, Marchetti GC, Rosselli Del Turco E, Rossotti R, Mussini C, Antinori A, Lo Caputo S, Ceccherini Silberstein F, Gaeta GB, Svicher V, Puoti M. Determinants of worse liver-related outcome according to HDV infection among HBsAg positive persons living with HIV: Data from the ICONA cohort. Liver Int 2024; 44:603-613. [PMID: 38100128 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to study hepatitis D virus (HDV) prevalence and risk of progression to severe liver-related events (SLRE) in HBsAg positive people living with HIV (PLWH) in Italy; role of HDV-RNA copy levels, HCV coinfection and nadir CD4 counts were also investigated. METHODS People living with HIV (PLWH) from Italian Foundation cohort Naïve antiretrovirals (ICONA) with available HBsAg and HDV Ab were enrolled. HBsAg, HDV Ab, HDV-RNA and HDV genotypes were tested. PRIMARY END-POINT time from first HDV screening to Severe Liver Related Events (SLRE: decompensated cirrhosis, liver transplantation, HCC). Fine-grey regression models were used to evaluate the association of HDV Ab, HDV-RNA, HDV/HCV coinfection, CD4 nadir and outcome. Secondary end-points: time to SLRE or death; HDV Ab and HDV-RNA prevalence. RESULTS A total of 152/809 (18.8%) HBsAg positive PLWH showed HDV Ab reactivity; 63/93 (67.7%) were HDV-RNA positive. Being male, persons who inject drugs (PWID), HCV Ab positive, with FIB-4 > 3.25 were independent factors of HDV Ab positivity. In a median follow-up of 5 years, 37 PLWH (4.1% at 5-year) developed SLRE and 97 (12.0%) reached the SLRE or death end-point. HDV-RNA positive (independently from HDV-RNA copy level) PLWH had a 4.6-fold (95%CI 2.0-10.5) higher risk of SLRE than HDV negatives. PLWH positive for both HCV Ab and HDV Ab showed the highest independent risk of SLRE (ASHR: 11.9, 95%CI: 4.6-30.9 vs. HCV neg/HDV neg). Nadir CD4 < 200/mL was associated with SLRE (ASHR: 3.9, 95% 1.0-14.5). CONCLUSIONS One-fifth of the HBsAg positive PLWH harbour HDV infection, and are at high risk of progression to advanced liver disease. HCV contributes to worse outcomes. This population needs urgently effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Romina Salpini
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Piermatteo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano D'Anna
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Vincenzo Malagnino
- Department of Medicine of Systems, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppina Brancaccio
- Infectious Diseases, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Giulia Carla Marchetti
- Department of Health Sciences, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Rosselli Del Turco
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Rossotti
- Infectious Diseases Unit, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Mussini
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Modena, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Andrea Antinori
- Clinical and Research Infectious Diseases Department, INMI, Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Lo Caputo
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | | | | | - Valentina Svicher
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Puoti
- Infectious Diseases Unit, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy
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12
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Shi J, Wang X, Qi W, Wang S, Fu Y, Zhang Y, Zhang Q, Han L, Xu Y, Duan H, Liu J, Cong X, Zhou C, Zhao P, Wang J. Association between NTCP hepatic expression and inflammation/fibrosis as well as gender-specific differences in chronic HBV-infected patients. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29428. [PMID: 38258306 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
To investigate the relationship between the expression of hepatitis B virus (HBV) functional receptor sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) with disease progression and gender-specific differences in chronic HBV-infected patients. Liver samples were collected from chronic HBV-infected patients who underwent percutaneous liver biopsy or liver surgery. HBV DNA levels and the mRNA and protein expression levels of NTCP in liver tissues were determined. The relationship between NTCP expression and HBV DNA levels, inflammatory activity, fibrosis, and gender-specific differences were analyzed. A total of 94 chronic HBV-infected patients were included. Compared with patients with a METAVIR score of A0-1 or F0-1, patients with score of A2 or F2/F3 had a relatively higher level of NTCP expression. NTCP levels were positively correlated with HBV DNA levels. The inflammatory activity scores and fibrosis scores of women <50 years were significantly lower than those of women ≥50 years and age-matched males. In patients with score A0-2 or F0-3, women <50 years have lower NTCP expression level compared to women ≥50 years and age-matched males. NTCP can promote the disease progression by affecting the viral load of HBV. The NTCP expression difference may be why male and postmenopausal women are more prone to disease progression than reproductive women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Shi
- Department of Digestive, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Department of Digestive, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wenqian Qi
- Department of Digestive, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Song Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yao Fu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yonggui Zhang
- Department of Digestive, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Digestive, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Liang Han
- Department of Pathology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yanhui Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Honglei Duan
- Department of Digestive, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of Digestive, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xianling Cong
- Department of Biobank, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Changyu Zhou
- Department of Digestive, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- Department of Digestive, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jiangbin Wang
- Department of Digestive, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Abstract
Importance Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection occurs in association with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and affects approximately 12 million to 72 million people worldwide. HDV causes more rapid progression to cirrhosis and higher rates of hepatocellular carcinoma than HBV alone or hepatitis C virus. Observations HDV requires HBV to enter hepatocytes and to assemble and secrete new virions. Acute HDV-HBV coinfection is followed by clearance of both viruses in approximately 95% of people, whereas HDV superinfection in an HBV-infected person results in chronic HDV-HBV infection in more than 90% of infected patients. Chronic hepatitis D causes more rapidly progressive liver disease than HBV alone. Approximately 30% to 70% of patients with chronic hepatitis D have cirrhosis at diagnosis and more than 50% die of liver disease within 10 years of diagnosis. However, recent studies suggested that progression is variable and that more than 50% of people may have an indolent course. Only approximately 20% to 50% of people infected by hepatitis D have been diagnosed due to lack of awareness and limited access to reliable diagnostic tests for the HDV antibody and HDV RNA. The HBV vaccine prevents HDV infection by preventing HBV infection, but no vaccines are available to protect those with established HBV infection against HDV. Interferon alfa inhibits HDV replication and reduces the incidence of liver-related events such as liver decompensation, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver transplant, or mortality from 8.5% per year to 3.3% per year. Adverse effects from interferon alfa such as fatigue, depression, and bone marrow suppression are common. HBV nucleos(t)ide analogues, such as entecavir or tenofovir, are ineffective against HDV. Phase 3 randomized clinical trials of bulevirtide, which blocks entry of HDV into hepatocytes, and lonafarnib, which interferes with HDV assembly, showed that compared with placebo or observation, these therapies attained virological and biochemical response in up to 56% of patients after 96 weeks of bulevirtide monotherapy and 19% after 48 weeks of lonafarnib, ritonavir, and pegylated interferon alfa treatment. Conclusions and Relevance HDV infection affects approximately 12 million to 72 million people worldwide and is associated with more rapid progression to cirrhosis and liver failure and higher rates of hepatocellular carcinoma than infection with HBV alone. Bulevirtide was recently approved for HDV in Europe, whereas pegylated interferon alfa is the only treatment available in most countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Negro
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Anna S Lok
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
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14
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Sandmann L, Berg T, Deterding K, Fischer N, Hinrichsen H, Petersen J, Tacke F, Cornberg M. Addendum „Antivirale Therapie der chronischen Hepatitis-D-Virusinfektion“ zur S3-Leitlinie „Prophylaxe, Diagnostik und Therapie der Hepatitis-B-Virusinfektion“ der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Gastroenterologie, Verdauungs- und Stoffwechselkrankheiten (DGVS). ZEITSCHRIFT FUR GASTROENTEROLOGIE 2023; 61:1635-1653. [PMID: 38081179 DOI: 10.1055/a-2181-3046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Sandmann
- Klinik für Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie, Infektiologie und Endokrinologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Deutschland
- D-SOLVE Consortium, Horizon Europe Project, partner-site Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Deutschland
| | - Thomas Berg
- Bereich Hepatologie, Medizinische Klinik II, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Deutschland
| | - Katja Deterding
- Klinik für Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie, Infektiologie und Endokrinologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Deutschland
| | - Nadine Fischer
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gastroenterologie, Verdauungs- und Stoffwechselkrankheiten (DGVS), Berlin, Deutschland
| | | | - Jörg Petersen
- IFI Institut für Interdisziplinäre Medizin an der Asklepios Klinik St Georg, Hamburg, Deutschland
| | - Frank Tacke
- Medizinische Klinik m. S. Hepatologie und Gastroenterologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Klinik für Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie, Infektiologie und Endokrinologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Deutschland
- Centre for individualised infection Medicine (CiiM), Hannover, Deutschland
- Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), partner-site Hannover-Braunschweig, Deutschland
- D-SOLVE Consortium, Horizon Europe Project, partner-site Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Deutschland
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15
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Sandmann L, Berg T, Deterding K, Fischer N, Hinrichsen H, Petersen J, Tacke F, Cornberg M. Antiviral Therapy of Chronic Hepatitis D Virus Infection - Addendum to the S3 Guideline "Prophylaxis, Diagnosis and Therapy of Hepatitis B Virus Infection" of the German Society for Gastroenterology, Digestive and Metabolic Diseases (DGVS). ZEITSCHRIFT FUR GASTROENTEROLOGIE 2023; 61:e715-e732. [PMID: 38081178 DOI: 10.1055/a-2181-3345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Sandmann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- D-SOLVE Consortium, Horizon Europe Project, partner-site Hannover Medical School, Germany
| | - Thomas Berg
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Katja Deterding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nadine Fischer
- German Society for Gastroenterology, Digestive and Metabolic Diseases (DGVS), Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Jörg Petersen
- IFI Institute for Interdisciplinary Medicine at Asklepios Klinik St Georg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Centre for individualised infection Medicine (CiiM), Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner-site Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
- D-SOLVE Consortium, Horizon Europe Project, partner-site Hannover Medical School, Germany
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16
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Korkmaz P, Asan A, Karakeçili F, Tekin S, Demirtürk N. New Treatment Options in Chronic Hepatitis B: How Close Are We to Cure? INFECTIOUS DISEASES & CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY 2023; 5:267-280. [PMID: 38633851 PMCID: PMC10986727 DOI: 10.36519/idcm.2023.265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. HBV-infected patients are at a lifetime risk of developing liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Today, pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) and nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) are used in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Both treatment options have limitations. Despite effective viral suppression, NAs have little effect on covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), the stable episomal form of the HBV genome in hepatocytes. Therefore, the cure rate with NAs is low, and long-term treatment is required. Although the cure rate is better with Peg-IFN, it is difficult to tolerate due to drug side effects. Therefore, new treatment options are needed in the treatment of HBV infection. We can group new treatments under two headings: those that interfere with the viral life cycle and spread and those that modulate the immune response. Clinical studies show that combinations of treatments that directly target the viral life cycle and treatments that regulate the host immune system will be among the important treatment strategies in the future. As new direct-acting antiviral (DAA) and immunomodulatory therapies continue to emerge and evolve, functional cures in HBV treatment may be an achievable goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pınar Korkmaz
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Kütahya Health Sciences University School of Medicine, Kütahya, Türkiye
| | - Ali Asan
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Bursa Health Sciences University School of Medicine, Bursa, Türkiye
| | - Faruk Karakeçili
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University School of Medicine, Erzincan, Türkiye
| | - Süda Tekin
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Koç University School of Medicine, İstanbul, Türkiye
| | - Neşe Demirtürk
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, School of Medicine, Afyonkarahisar, Türkiye
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17
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Asselah T. What is the Path Forward to Treat Hepatitis Delta Virus?: Old Treatments and New Options. Clin Liver Dis 2023; 27:985-995. [PMID: 37778781 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2023.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
HDV use the cell enzymes for its own replication, and the HBsAg as an envelope. There is an urgent need to develop new drugs for chronic hepatitis D (CHD). Pegylated interferon alpha (PEG-IFNα) (direct-antiviral and immune modulator) has been used and recommended by scientific guidelines, although not approved, with moderate efficacy and poor tolerability. There are several drugs in development which target the host: bulevirtide (BLV), lonafarnib (LNF), nucleic acid polymer, and others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarik Asselah
- University of Paris-Cité, Hôpital Beaujon, Service d'hépatologie AP-HP & INSERM UMR1149, Clichy, France.
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18
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Mateo R, Xu S, Shornikov A, Yazdi T, Liu Y, May L, Han B, Han D, Martin R, Manhas S, Richards C, Marceau C, Aeschbacher T, Chang S, Manuilov D, Hollnberger J, Urban S, Asselah T, Abdurakhmanov D, Lampertico P, Maiorova E, Mo H. Broad-spectrum activity of bulevirtide against clinical isolates of HDV and recombinant pan-genotypic combinations of HBV/HDV. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100893. [PMID: 37929228 PMCID: PMC10622701 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Bulevirtide (BLV) is a small lipopeptide agent that specifically binds to the sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) bile salt transporter and HBV/HDV receptor on the surface of human hepatocytes and inhibits HDV and HBV entry. As a satellite virus of HBV, HDV virions are formed after assembly of HDV RNA with the HBV envelope proteins (HBsAg). Because both viruses exist as eight different genotypes, this creates a potential for high diversity in the HBV/HDV combinations. To investigate the sensitivity of various combinations of HBV/HDV genotypes to BLV, clinical and laboratory strains were assessed. Methods For the laboratory strains, the different envelopes from HBV genotypes A through H were combined with HDV genotypes 1-8 in cotransfection assays. Clinical plasma isolates were obtained from clinical studies and academic collaborations to maximise the diversity of HBV/HDV genotypes tested. Results The mean BLV EC50 against HDV laboratory strains ranged from 0.44 to 0.64 nM. Regardless of HBV and HDV genotypes, the clinical isolates showed similar sensitivities to BLV with mean values that ranged from 0.2 to 0.73 nM. Conclusions These data support the use of BLV in patients infected with any HBV/HDV genotypes. Impact and implications This study describes the potent activity of BLV against multiple laboratory strains spanning all HBV/HDV A-H/1-8 genotype combinations and the most diverse collection of HDV clinical samples tested to date, including HBV/HDV genotype combinations less frequently observed in the clinic. Overall, all isolates and laboratory strains displayed similar in vitro nanomolar sensitivity to BLV. This broad-spectrum antiviral activity of BLV has direct implications on potential simplified treatment for any patient infected with HDV, regardless of genotype, and supports the new 2023 EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines on HDV that recommend antiviral treatment for all patients with CHD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simin Xu
- Gilead Sciences Inc., Foster City, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Yang Liu
- Gilead Sciences Inc., Foster City, CA, USA
| | | | - Bin Han
- Gilead Sciences Inc., Foster City, CA, USA
| | - Dong Han
- Gilead Sciences Inc., Foster City, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Julius Hollnberger
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Heidelberg Partner Site, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephan Urban
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Heidelberg Partner Site, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tarik Asselah
- Université de Paris-Cité, Centre de Recherche sur l'Inflammation, INSERM UMR 1149, Hôpital Beaujon, Department of Hepatology, AP-HP, Clichy, France
| | | | - Pietro Lampertico
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- CRC 'A. M. and A. Migliavacca' Center for Liver Disease, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Hongmei Mo
- Gilead Sciences Inc., Foster City, CA, USA
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19
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Nemteanu R, Clim A, Hincu CE, Gheorghe L, Ciortescu I, Plesa A. Interferon-Free Regimens and Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents for Delta Hepatitis: Are We There Yet? Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:7878-7890. [PMID: 37886941 PMCID: PMC10605217 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45100498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic delta hepatitis is a global health problem. Although a smaller percentage of chronic HBV-infected patients are coinfected with the hepatitis delta virus, these patients have a higher risk of an accelerated progression to fulminant "delta hepatitis", cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation, and hepatocellular carcinoma, putting a financial strain on the healthcare system and increasing the need for a liver transplant. Since its discovery, tremendous efforts have been directed toward understanding the intricate pathogenic mechanisms, discovering the complex viral replication process, the essential replicative intermediates, and cell division-mediated viral spread, which enables virion viability. The consideration of the interaction between HBV and HDV is crucial in the process of developing novel pharmaceuticals. Until just recently, interferon-based therapy was the only treatment available worldwide. This review aims to present the recent advancements in understanding the life cycle of HDV, which have consequently facilitated the development of innovative drug classes. Additionally, we will examine the antiviral strategies currently in phases II and III of development, including bulevirtide (an entry inhibitor), lonafarnib (a prenylation inhibitor), and REP 2139 (an HBsAg release inhibitor).
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxana Nemteanu
- Medical I Department, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700100 Iasi, Romania; (A.C.); (L.G.); (A.P.)
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “Sfantul. Spiridon” University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Andreea Clim
- Medical I Department, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700100 Iasi, Romania; (A.C.); (L.G.); (A.P.)
| | - Corina Elena Hincu
- Department of Radiology, “Sfantul Spiridon” Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Liliana Gheorghe
- Medical I Department, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700100 Iasi, Romania; (A.C.); (L.G.); (A.P.)
- Department of Radiology, “Sfantul Spiridon” Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Irina Ciortescu
- Medical I Department, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700100 Iasi, Romania; (A.C.); (L.G.); (A.P.)
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “Sfantul. Spiridon” University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Alina Plesa
- Medical I Department, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700100 Iasi, Romania; (A.C.); (L.G.); (A.P.)
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “Sfantul. Spiridon” University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
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20
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Fasano M, Milella M, Carbonara S, Tundo P, Minniti S, Buccoliero G, Maci AM, Lo Caputo S, Santantonio TA. Apulian infectious diseases network: survey on the prevalence of delta infection among chronic HBV carriers in Apulia. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1247454. [PMID: 37822539 PMCID: PMC10562714 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1247454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The current prevalence and clinical burden of Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) infection in Apulia are unknown. This study aimed to define the current epidemiological scenario of delta infection and to detect difficulties in the diagnosis and clinical management of HDV patients in Apulia. Methods From May to September 2022, a fact-finding survey was conducted at eight Infectious Diseases Units of the Apulian region; each Unit was asked to complete a questionnaire on screening and diagnosis of HDV infection and demographic, virological, and clinical characteristics of HDV patients. Results A total of 1,461 HBsAg-positive subjects were followed up on an outpatient basis. Screening for HDV ranged from 30 to 90% of HBsAg + carriers in a single center. Overall, 952 HBsAg ± subjects (65%) were tested for HDV, and 80/952 (8.4%) were anti-HDV positive. Serum HDV RNA was detected only in 15/80 (19%) anti-HDV-positive subjects, and 12/15 patients (80%) were viremic. Sixty-five anti-HDV-positive subjects (81%) were from Italy; risk factors for HDV acquisition included the presence of HDV infection in the family (29/80 = 36%), drug addiction (12/80 = 15%), and co-infection with HCV or HIV (7/80 = 9%). Liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma were diagnosed in 41 (51%) and 4 (5%) patients, respectively. Fifty-seven patients (71%) received nucleos(t)ide analog treatment. Conclusions The results of this survey show that HDV screening is variable and insufficient, thus real prevalence data on delta infection are lacking in Apulia. Moreover, the HDV RNA test is not available in most laboratories and is not provided by the national health system. These results underline the need for an organizational model to optimize the management of HDV patients throughout the Apulian region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Fasano
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Ospedale della Murgia “F. Perinei”, Altamura, BA, Italy
| | - Michele Milella
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Sergio Carbonara
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Ospedale Vittorio Emanuele II, Bisceglie, BT, Italy
| | - Paolo Tundo
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Ospedale S. Caterina Novella, Galatina, LE, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Sergio Lo Caputo
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Teresa Antonia Santantonio
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
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21
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Hollnberger J, Liu Y, Xu S, Chang S, Martin R, Manhas S, Aeschbacher T, Han B, Yazdi T, May L, Han D, Shornikov A, Flaherty J, Manuilov D, Suri V, Asselah T, Lampertico P, Wedemeyer H, Aleman S, Richards C, Mateo R, Maiorova E, Cihlar T, Mo H, Urban S. No virologic resistance to bulevirtide monotherapy detected in patients through 24 weeks treatment in phase II and III clinical trials for chronic hepatitis delta. J Hepatol 2023; 79:657-665. [PMID: 37120031 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Bulevirtide (BLV) is a HDV/HBV entry inhibitor that is associated with virologic response (responders, HDV-RNA undetectable or ≥2 log10 IU/ml decrease from baseline) in >50% of patients after a 24-week treatment. However, some patients only achieve a <1 log10 IU/ml decline in HDV-RNA after the 24-week treatment (non-responders). Here, we report a viral resistance analysis in participants receiving BLV monotherapy who were non-responders or experienced virologic breakthrough (VB, i.e., two consecutive increases in HDV-RNA of ≥1 log10 IU/ml from nadir or two consecutive HDV-RNA detectable results if previously undetectable) from the phase II MYR202 and phase III MYR301 study. METHODS Deep-sequencing of the BLV-corresponding region in HBV PreS1 and of the HDV HDAg gene, as well as in vitro phenotypic testing, were performed for the participant with VB (n = 1) and non-responders (n = 20) at baseline (BL) and Week 24 (WK24). RESULTS No amino acid exchanges associated with reduced susceptibility to BLV within the BLV-corresponding region or within HDAg were identified in isolates from any of the 21 participants at BL or at WK24. Although variants (HBV n = 1; HDV n = 13) were detected at BL in some non-responders or in the participant with VB, none were associated with reduced sensitivity to BLV in vitro. Furthermore, the same variant was detected in virologic responders. A comprehensive phenotypic analysis demonstrated that the BLV EC50 values from 116 BL samples were similar across non-responders, partial responders (HDV RNA decline ≥1 but <2 log10 IU/ml), and responders regardless of the presence of HBV and/or HDV polymorphisms. CONCLUSIONS No amino acid substitutions associated with reduced sensitivity to BLV monotherapy were detected at BL or WK24 in non-responders or the participant with VB after 24-week BLV treatment. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS This is the first study investigating the development of resistance in patients treated with BLV. Excluding resistance to BLV as an explanation for an insufficient decrease in HDV-RNA levels during BLV therapy is an important finding for patients, clinicians, and researchers. It demonstrates that BLV has a high barrier to resistance, indicating it is safe and suitable for long-term treatment, although long-term surveillance for resistance should be performed. Our results hint at other still unknown mechanisms as an explanation for the persistence of serum HDV-RNA during inhibition of viral entry. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBERS NCT03546621 and NCT03852719.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julius Hollnberger
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Heidelberg Partner Site, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yang Liu
- Gilead Sciences Inc., Foster City, California, USA.
| | - Simin Xu
- Gilead Sciences Inc., Foster City, California, USA
| | - Silvia Chang
- Gilead Sciences Inc., Foster City, California, USA
| | - Ross Martin
- Gilead Sciences Inc., Foster City, California, USA
| | | | | | - Bin Han
- Gilead Sciences Inc., Foster City, California, USA
| | | | - Lindsey May
- Gilead Sciences Inc., Foster City, California, USA
| | - Dong Han
- Gilead Sciences Inc., Foster City, California, USA
| | | | | | | | - Vithika Suri
- Gilead Sciences Inc., Foster City, California, USA
| | - Tarik Asselah
- Department of Hepatologi, Hôpital Beaujon, AP-HP, Université de Paris-Cité, INSERM UMR 1149, Clichy, France
| | - Pietro Lampertico
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Italy; "A.M. e A. Migliavacca" Center for the Study of Liver Disease, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Soo Aleman
- Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Tomas Cihlar
- Gilead Sciences Inc., Foster City, California, USA
| | - Hongmei Mo
- Gilead Sciences Inc., Foster City, California, USA
| | - Stephan Urban
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Heidelberg Partner Site, Heidelberg, Germany.
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22
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Lampertico P, Degasperi E, Sandmann L, Wedemeyer H. Hepatitis D virus infection: Pathophysiology, epidemiology and treatment. Report from the first international delta cure meeting 2022. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100818. [PMID: 37593170 PMCID: PMC10428117 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic infection with hepatitis delta virus (HDV) affects between 12-20 million people worldwide and represents the most severe form of viral hepatitis, leading to accelerated liver disease progression, cirrhosis and its complications, such as end-stage-liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. From the discovery of HDV in 1977 by Prof. Mario Rizzetto, knowledge on the HDV life cycle and mechanisms of viral spread has expanded. However, little is still known about the natural history of the disease, host-viral interactions, and the role of the immune system in HDV persistence. Diagnosis of HDV is still challenging due to a lack of standardised assays, while accurate viral load quantification is needed to assess response and endpoints of antiviral treatment. Until recently, interferon has represented the only treatment option in patients with chronic hepatitis delta; however, it is associated with low efficacy and a high burden of side effects. The discovery of the entry inhibitor bulevirtide has represented a breakthrough in HDV treatment, by demonstrating high rates of viral suppression in phase II and III trials, results which have been confirmed in real-world settings and in patients with compensated advanced liver disease. In the meantime, other compounds (i.e. lonafarnib, new anti-hepatitis B virus drugs) are under development to provide alternative or combined strategies for HDV cure. The first international Delta Cure meeting was organised in Milan in October 2022 with the aim of sharing and disseminating the latest data; this review summarises key takeaway messages from state-of-the-art lectures and research data on HDV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Lampertico
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- CRC “A. M. and A. Migliavacca” Center for Liver Disease, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Degasperi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Lisa Sandmann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Excellence Cluster RESIST, Excellence Initiative Hannover Medical School, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Excellence Cluster RESIST, Excellence Initiative Hannover Medical School, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
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23
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Wedemeyer H, Leus M, Battersby TR, Glenn J, Gordien E, Kamili S, Kapoor H, Kessler HH, Lenz O, Lütgehetmann M, Mixson-Hayden T, Simon CO, Thomson M, Westman G, Miller V, Terrault N, Lampertico P. HDV RNA assays: Performance characteristics, clinical utility, and challenges. Hepatology 2023:01515467-990000000-00551. [PMID: 37640384 PMCID: PMC11289715 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Coinfection with HBV and HDV results in hepatitis D, the most severe form of chronic viral hepatitis, frequently leading to liver decompensation and HCC. Pegylated interferon alpha, the only treatment option for chronic hepatitis D for many years, has limited efficacy. New treatments are in advanced clinical development, with one recent approval. Diagnosis and antiviral treatment response monitoring are based on detection and quantification of HDV RNA. However, the development of reliable HDV RNA assays is challenged by viral heterogeneity (at least 8 different genotypes and several subgenotypes), intrahost viral diversity, rapid viral evolution, and distinct secondary structure features of HDV RNA. Different RNA extraction methodologies, primer/probe design for nucleic acid tests, lack of automation, and overall dearth of standardization across testing laboratories contribute to substantial variability in performance characteristics of research-based and commercial HDV RNA assays. A World Health Organization (WHO) standard for HDV RNA, available for about 10 years, has been used by many laboratories to determine the limit of detection of their assays and facilitates comparisons of RNA levels across study centers. Here we review challenges for robust pan genotype HDV RNA quantification, discuss particular clinical needs and the importance of reliable HDV RNA quantification in the context of drug development and patient monitoring. We summarize distinct technical features and performance characteristics of available HDV RNA assays. Finally, we provide considerations for the use of HDV RNA assays in the context of drug development and patient monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Excellence Cluster RESIST, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- D-SOLVE: EU-funded Network on Individualized Management of Hepatitis D
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Mitchell Leus
- Forum for Collaborative Research, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Washington DC Campus, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey Glenn
- Departments of Medicine (Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology) and Microbiology & Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Emmanuel Gordien
- Laboratoire de microbiologie clinique, Centre National de Référence pour les virus des hépatites B, C et Delta, Hôpital Avicenne Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Bobigny, France
| | - Saleem Kamili
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Hema Kapoor
- Ex Quest Diagnostics, HK Healthcare Consultant LLC, Secaucus, New Jersey, USA
| | - Harald H. Kessler
- Diagnostic and Research Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Oliver Lenz
- Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Marc Lütgehetmann
- Institute for Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg, Lübeck, Kiel, Germany
| | - Tonya Mixson-Hayden
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Christian O. Simon
- Clinical Development and Medical Affairs, Roche Diagnostics Solutions, Rotkreuz, Switzerland
| | - Michael Thomson
- Division of Antivirals, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Gabriel Westman
- Swedish Medical Products Agency, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Veronica Miller
- Forum for Collaborative Research, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Washington DC Campus, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Norah Terrault
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Pietro Lampertico
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, CRC “A. M. and A. Migliavacca” Center for Liver Disease, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Sandmann L, Wedemeyer H. Interferon-based treatment of chronic hepatitis D. Liver Int 2023; 43 Suppl 1:69-79. [PMID: 36002390 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection has been based on the administration of interferon-alfa for more than three decades. First studies to treat HDV-infected patients with type 1 interferons were already performed in the 1980s. Several smaller trials and case series were reported thereafter. During the mid 2000s the use of pegylated interferons for hepatitis D was established. Since then, additional trials were performed in different countries exploring strategies to personalize treatment including extended treatment durations. The overall findings were that about one-quarter to one-third of patients benefit from interferon treatment with persistent suppression of HDV replication. However, only few patients achieve also functional cure of hepatitis B with HBsAg loss. Importantly, several studies indicate that successful interferon treatment is associated with improved clinical long-term outcomes. Still, only a proportion of patients with hepatitis D can be treated with interferons. Even though alternative treatments are currently developed, it is likely that pegylated interferon-alfa will still have an important role in the management of hepatitis D - either alone or in combination. Therefore, better biomarkers are needed to select patients with a high likelihood to benefit from interferon-based treatments. In this review we are discussing basic principles of mode of action of interferon alpha against HDV, summarize previous data on interferon treatment of hepatitis D and give an outlook on potential combinations with novel drugs currently in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Sandmann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Excellence Cluster Resist, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
- Clinician Scientist Program PRACTIS, Supported by the German Research Foundation DFG, Hannover, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Excellence Cluster Resist, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
- Collaborative Research Center (SFB) 900, Hannover, Germany
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Metin O, Zeybel M, Yurdaydin C. Treatment endpoints for chronic hepatitis D. Liver Int 2023; 43 Suppl 1:60-68. [PMID: 36196680 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
Management of chronic hepatitis D (CHD) has entered a new era. In this new era, the virus entry inhibitor bulevirtide has received conditional approval as a treatment for compensated CHD. Three phase 3 studies with two new compounds are ongoing for the treatment of CHD. In this context, surrogate markers of treatment efficacy have been well defined for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) (7) and chronic hepatitis C (8) but not for CHD. The aim of this review is to give a perspective on treatment endpoints in CHD. For this, we took guidance from CHB studies and tried to make suggestions which differed according to finite versus prolonged treatment durations and also took into account the different characteristics of the new compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Metin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Prof. Cemil Taşçioğlu City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Müjdat Zeybel
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Koç University Medical School, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Cihan Yurdaydin
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Koç University Medical School, Istanbul, Turkey
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26
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Dinkelborg K, Kahlhöfer J, Dörge P, Yurdaydin C, Hardtke S, Caruntu FA, Curescu MG, Yalcin K, Akarca US, Gürel S, Zeuzem S, Erhardt A, Lüth S, Papatheodoridis GV, Keskin O, Port K, Radu M, Celen MK, Idilman R, Weber K, Stift J, Wittkop U, Heidrich B, Mederacke I, von der Leyen H, Dienes HP, Cornberg M, Koch A, Manns MP, Wedemeyer H, Deterding K. Quality-of-life scores improve after 96 weeks of PEG-IFNa-2a treatment of hepatitis D: An analysis of the HIDIT-II trial. Liver Int 2023; 43:1663-1676. [PMID: 37183524 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Infection with the hepatitis D virus (HDV) causes the most severe form of viral hepatitis with a high risk to develop clinical complications of liver disease. In addition, hepatitis delta has been shown to be associated with worse patient-reported outcomes. Until recently, only pegylated interferon alfa could be used to treat hepatitis delta. METHODS Here, we investigated quality of life (QOL) as assessed by the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) in patients undergoing antiviral therapy with pegylated interferon alfa (PEG-IFNa-2a)-based treatment in the HIDIT-II trial. HIDIT-II was a randomized prospective trial exploring PEG-IFNa-2a with tenofovir disoproxil (TDF) or placebo for 96 weeks in patients with compensated hepatitis delta. Surveys completed by 83 study participants before, during, and after treatments were available. RESULTS Overall, we observed a reduced QOL of HDV patients compared with a reference population, both in physical as well as mental scores. Interestingly, PEG-IFNa-2a treatment showed only minor impairment of the QOL during therapy. Moreover, HDV-RNA clearance was not associated with relevant changes in physical or social SF-36 scores, whereas an improvement of fibrosis during treatment was associated with increased QOL. Overall, slight improvements of the QOL scores were observed 24 weeks after the end of treatment as compared with baseline. TDF co-treatment had no influence on QOL. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our findings suggest that PEG-IFNa-2a was reasonably tolerated even over a period of 96 weeks by hepatitis D patients reporting SF-36 questionnaires. Of note, several patients may benefit from PEG-IFNa-2a-based therapies with off-treatment improvements in quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Dinkelborg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases, and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Julia Kahlhöfer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases, and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), HepNet Study-House/German Liver Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Petra Dörge
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases, and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), HepNet Study-House/German Liver Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Cihan Yurdaydin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ankara University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
- Department of Internal Medicine, Koc University Medical School, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Svenja Hardtke
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), HepNet Study-House/German Liver Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- Institute for Infection Research and Vaccine Development, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Kendal Yalcin
- Dicle University Medical Faculty, Diyarbakir, Turkey
| | | | - Selim Gürel
- Uludağ University Medical Faculty, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Stefan Zeuzem
- Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Medical Center, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Lüth
- Institute for Infection Research and Vaccine Development, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Onur Keskin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ankara University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Kerstin Port
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases, and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Monica Radu
- Institutul de Boli Infectioase, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Ramazan Idilman
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ankara University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Kristina Weber
- Institute for Biometry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Judith Stift
- Department of Pahology, Institute for Infection Research and Vaccine Development, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Benjamin Heidrich
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases, and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
- Excellence Cluster Resist, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ingmar Mederacke
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases, and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Hans Peter Dienes
- Department of Pahology, Institute for Infection Research and Vaccine Development, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases, and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), HepNet Study-House/German Liver Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
- Center for Individualized Infection Medicine (CIIM), Hannover, Germany
| | - Armin Koch
- Institute for Biometry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael P Manns
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases, and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases, and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
- Excellence Cluster Resist, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- D-SOLVE Consortium, Hannover, Germany
| | - Katja Deterding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases, and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Jachs M, Panzer M, Hartl L, Schwarz M, Balcar L, Camp JV, Munda P, Mandorfer M, Trauner M, Aberle SW, Zoller H, Reiberger T, Ferenci P. Long-term follow-up of patients discontinuing bulevirtide treatment upon long-term HDV-RNA suppression. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100751. [PMID: 37360907 PMCID: PMC10285645 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Bulevirtide (BLV) is a novel antiviral drug licensed for the treatment of chronic hepatitis D. Data on the safety and efficacy of stopping BLV therapy upon long-term HDV-RNA suppression are scarce. Methods A total of seven patients (age, 31-68 years, four with cirrhosis) included in a prospective Austrian HDV registry discontinued BLV treatment (duration, 46-141 weeks) upon long-term HDV suppression (HDV-RNA negativity, 12-69 weeks). Pegylated interferon-ɑ2a was used in combination with BLV in two patients. HDV-RNA, alanine aminotransferase, and quantitative HBsAg levels were closely monitored during treatment-free follow-up. Results The seven patients were followed up for 14 to 112 weeks. Six patients completed ≥24 weeks of follow-up. HDV-RNA became detectable again in three patients within 24 weeks, whereas one additional patient showed an HDV-RNA relapse after almost 1 year. All patients who relapsed at any point had undergone BLV monotherapy. Meanwhile, HDV-RNA remained undetectable in two patients who were treated with BLV + pegylated interferon-ɑ2a. Only one patient showed significant alanine aminotransferase increases within 24 weeks of follow-up. BLV was reintroduced in three patients after 13-62 BLV-free weeks and was well tolerated, and all patients achieved virologic response again. Conclusions BLV discontinuation upon long-term HDV-RNA suppression seems safe. Retreatment with BLV was effective in case of virologic relapse. These findings are within a limited number of patients, and future studies are needed to define stopping rules and further investigate the safety of stopping BLV. Impact and Implications Limited data exist on stopping bulevirtide (BLV) treatment in patients who achieve long-term HDV-RNA suppression. In a small cohort of seven Austrian patients discontinuing BLV therapy, HDV-RNA relapses were observed in four patients during long-term follow-up, whereas significant alanine aminotransferase increases were recorded in only one. Retreatment with BLV was effective in relapsers. The safety and efficacy of stopping BLV needs to be further studied in larger cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Jachs
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Rare Liver Disease (RALID) Center of the European Reference Network for Rare Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marlene Panzer
- Department of Medicine I and Christian Doppler Laboratory on Iron and Phosphate Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Lukas Hartl
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Rare Liver Disease (RALID) Center of the European Reference Network for Rare Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Schwarz
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Rare Liver Disease (RALID) Center of the European Reference Network for Rare Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lorenz Balcar
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Rare Liver Disease (RALID) Center of the European Reference Network for Rare Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jeremy V. Camp
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Petra Munda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Rare Liver Disease (RALID) Center of the European Reference Network for Rare Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mattias Mandorfer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Rare Liver Disease (RALID) Center of the European Reference Network for Rare Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Trauner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Rare Liver Disease (RALID) Center of the European Reference Network for Rare Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Heinz Zoller
- Department of Medicine I and Christian Doppler Laboratory on Iron and Phosphate Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Thomas Reiberger
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Rare Liver Disease (RALID) Center of the European Reference Network for Rare Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Ferenci
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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28
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Brunetto MR, Ricco G, Negro F, Wedemeyer H, Yurdaydin C, Asselah T, Papatheodoridis G, Gheorghe L, Agarwal K, Farci P, Buti M. EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines on hepatitis delta virus. J Hepatol 2023; 79:433-460. [PMID: 37364791 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a defective virus that requires the hepatitis B virus to complete its life cycle and cause liver damage in humans. HDV is responsible for rare acute and chronic liver diseases and is considered the most aggressive hepatitis virus. Acute infection can cause acute liver failure, while persistent infection typically causes a severe form of chronic hepatitis which is associated with rapid and frequent progression to cirrhosis and its end-stage complications, hepatic decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma. Major diagnostic and therapeutic innovations prompted the EASL Governing Board to commission specific Clinical Practice Guidelines on the identification, virologic and clinical characterisation, prognostic assessment, and appropriate clinical and therapeutic management of HDV-infected individuals.
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29
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Maasoumy B, Lampertico P. Hepatitis Delta: Ready for primetime? Liver Int 2023; 43 Suppl 1:1-4. [PMID: 37658668 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Maasoumy
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Pietro Lampertico
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- CRC "A. M. and A. Migliavacca" Center for Liver Disease, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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30
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Deng X, Liu D, Delcourt MP, Gao H, Zhou L, Candotti D. No Hepatitis Delta Virus Seropositivity among Blood Donors with Overt and Occult Hepatitis B Infection in Dalian, Liaoning Province, China. Viruses 2023; 15:1509. [PMID: 37515195 PMCID: PMC10384194 DOI: 10.3390/v15071509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is an obligate satellite of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Dual HDV/HBV infection is associated with down-regulated HBV replication and fast progression to severe liver disease. Although HDV is transmissible through exposure to infected blood, data about HDV infection in blood donors remain scarce. Between 2011 and 2021, 869,633 donations were collected from prequalified donors in Dalian, China. In total, 1060 (0.12%) were confirmed HBsAg and/or HBV DNA-reactive. Subsequently, anti-HDV IgG was tested in 2175 donations, including 65 that tested HBsAg+ pre donation, 1017 confirmed HBV-positive (507 HBsAg+/HBV DNA+, 33 HBsAg+/DNA-, 477 HBsAg-/DNA+ (451 occult (OBI) and 26 acute infections)), 327 viral DNA non-repeated-reactive, 397 anti-HBc-only, and 369 anti-HBs-only. Two (0.09%) samples tested anti-HDV IgG weakly reactive but were unconfirmed by IgM and IgG repeat testing with alternative assays, suggesting an initial false reactivity. In addition, HDV testing in a subgroup of confirmed OBI donors, comprising 451 donors from Dalian and 126 archived samples of OBI donors from around the world, showed only one non-Chinese donor to be repeatedly anti-HDV-reactive, suggesting that HDV/HBV coinfection does not play a significant role in the genesis of OBI. The overall data suggested an extremely low prevalence of HDV infection among blood donors in Liaoning province, Northeast China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuelian Deng
- Dalian Blood Center, No. 90 Yan'an Road, Zhongshan District, Dalian 116001, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Dalian Blood Center, No. 90 Yan'an Road, Zhongshan District, Dalian 116001, China
| | - Maelenn Pailine Delcourt
- Department of Virology, Henri Mondor Hospital, Paris-Est University, Inserm U955-IMRB-Team 18, 94010 Creteil, France
| | - Huihui Gao
- Dalian Blood Center, No. 90 Yan'an Road, Zhongshan District, Dalian 116001, China
| | - Lu Zhou
- Dalian Blood Center, No. 90 Yan'an Road, Zhongshan District, Dalian 116001, China
| | - Daniel Candotti
- Department of Virology, Henri Mondor Hospital, Paris-Est University, Inserm U955-IMRB-Team 18, 94010 Creteil, France
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31
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarik Asselah
- From Université de Paris-Cité, Hôpital Beaujon, Department of Hepatology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, and INSERM Unité Mixte de Recherche 1149, Clichy, France (T.A.); and the Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy (M.R.)
| | - Mario Rizzetto
- From Université de Paris-Cité, Hôpital Beaujon, Department of Hepatology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, and INSERM Unité Mixte de Recherche 1149, Clichy, France (T.A.); and the Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy (M.R.)
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32
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Feld JJ, Lok AS, Zoulim F. New Perspectives on Development of Curative Strategies for Chronic Hepatitis B. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 21:2040-2050. [PMID: 37080262 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2023.02.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
A functional cure of chronic hepatitis B defined as sustained hepatitis B surface antigen loss after finite course of therapy is rarely achieved with current therapy but is the goal of novel treatments. Understanding the virological and immunological mechanisms of hepatitis B virus persistence has enabled the identification of novel treatment targets, drug discovery, and the evaluation of novel agents in clinical trials. Lessons were learned from early phase 1 and phase 2 trials regarding the antiviral activity and safety profile of these agents. There is a strong rationale to combine agents to reduce viral replication, reduce viral antigen load, invigorate immune responses, and induce specific adaptive immune responses. Nucleos(t)ide analogs will likely remain an essential backbone of future combinations to control viral replication and prevent resistance to antiviral drugs. In this review, we discuss perspectives on approaches to achieving functional cure, with a review of virological and immunological strategies, highlighting challenges and unresolved questions with the various attempts to achieve cure, as well as exploring alternative endpoints such as partial cure and new noninvasive viral and immunological biomarkers to stratify patients and predict/monitor antiviral response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan J Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Anna S Lok
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Fabien Zoulim
- INSERM Unit 1052 - Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Lyon Hepatology Institute, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
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Olsen K, Mahgoub S, Al-Shakhshir S, Algieder A, Atabani S, Bannaga A, Elsharkawy AM. Recent treatment advances and practical management of hepatitis D virus. Clin Med (Lond) 2023; 23:403-408. [PMID: 38614656 PMCID: PMC10541033 DOI: 10.7861/clinmed.2022-0556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis D virus (HDV), also referred to as hepatitis delta virus, is the smallest virus capable of causing human disease. It is unable to replicate on its own and can only propagate in the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Infection with both HBV and HDV frequently results in more severe disease than HBV alone, with higher instances of cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Thus, there is a need for effective treatment for HDV; however, currently approved treatment options are very limited both in terms of their efficacy and availability. This makes the management of HDV a challenge for physicians. In this review, we look at the background, diagnosis and treatment of HDV, informed by our hospital data, to set out the optimal management of HDV; we also explore novel treatment options for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Olsen
- Liver Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Sara Mahgoub
- Liver Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Akram Algieder
- Liver Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Ayman Bannaga
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
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Xu HY, Yang JO, Chen PH, Han SHB. Bulevirtide and emerging drugs for the treatment of hepatitis D. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2023; 23:1245-1253. [PMID: 37853604 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2023.2273260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) causes acute and chronic liver disease that requires the co-infection of the Hepatitis B virus and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Bulevirtide is a recently introduced entry inhibitor drug that acts on the sodium taurocholate cotransporting peptide, thereby preventing viral entry to target cells in chronic HDV infection. The mainstay of chronic HDV therapy prior to bulevirtide was interferon alpha, which has an undesirable side effect profile. AREAS COVERED We review bulevirtide data from recent clinical trials in Europe and the United States. Challenges to development and implementation of bulevirtide are discussed. Additionally, we review ongoing trials of emerging drugs for HDV, such as pegylated interferon lambda and lonafarnib. EXPERT OPINION Bulevirtide represents a major shift in treatment for chronic HDV, for which there is significant unmet need. Trials that compared bulevirtide in combination with interferon alpha vs interferon alpha monotherapy demonstrated significant increase in virologic response. Overall, treatment with different doses of bulevirtide were comparable. Bulevirtide was generally well tolerated, and no serious adverse events occurred. Understanding the true prevalence of HDV, as well as continued studies of emerging drugs will prove valuable to the larger goal of eradication of Hepatitis D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Y Xu
- Department of Medicine, UCLA Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jamie O Yang
- Department of Medicine, UCLA Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Phillip H Chen
- Clinical Fellow in Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, UCLA Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Steven-Huy B Han
- Pfleger Liver Institute, UCLA Health, 200 Medical Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Deterding K, Xu C, Port K, Dietz-Fricke C, Xun J, Maasoumy B, Cornberg M, Wedemeyer H. Bile acid increase during bulevirtide treatment of hepatitis D is not associated with a decline in HDV RNA. J Viral Hepat 2023; 30:597-606. [PMID: 36924318 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Bulevirtide (BLV) is an entry inhibitor blocking entry of HBsAg into hepatocytes by interfering with the bile acid transporter Na+-taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide. We here investigated if bile acid levels before or during BLV treatment would correlate with HDV RNA declines. We studied 20 patients with compensated HDV infection receiving a daily dose of 2 mg bulevirtide subcutaneously qd for at least 24 weeks. ALT levels improved in all patients including 13/20 patients showing normal ALT values at treatment Week 24. An HDV RNA drop of at least 50% was evident in 20/20 patients at Week 24 including 10 patients showing a ≥ 2 log HDV RNA decline. Elevated bile acid levels were detected already before treatment in 10 patients and further increased during BLV administration with different kinetics. Baseline bile acids were associated with higher transient elastography values (p = .0029) and evidence of portal hypertension (p = .0004). Bile acid levels before treatment were associated with HDV RNA declines throughout therapy, but not at Week 24 (rho = -0.577; p = .0078; rho = -0.635, p = .0026; rho = -0.577, p = .0077; rho = -0.519, p = .0191; rho = -0.564, p = .0119 and rho = -0.393, p = .087 at treatment Weeks 2, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24, respectively). However, bile acid increases during treatment were not associated with HDV RNA or ALT declines at any of the time points. BLV-induced increases in bile salts do not correlate with HDV RNA declines suggesting that the inhibitory effects of BLV on NTCP differ between blocking bile acid transport and hindering HBsAg entry. If baseline bile salt levels could be useful to predict virological response remains to be confirmed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Deterding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Chengjian Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Individualized Infection Medicine, CiiM, a joint venture between Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- TWINCORE, a joint venture between the Helmholtz-Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and the Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Kerstin Port
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christopher Dietz-Fricke
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jiang Xun
- Center for Individualized Infection Medicine, CiiM, a joint venture between Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- TWINCORE, a joint venture between the Helmholtz-Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and the Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Benjamin Maasoumy
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Individualized Infection Medicine, CiiM, a joint venture between Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- TWINCORE, a joint venture between the Helmholtz-Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and the Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
- D-SOLVE consortium, an EU Horizon Europe funded project (No 101057917)
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- TWINCORE, a joint venture between the Helmholtz-Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and the Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
- D-SOLVE consortium, an EU Horizon Europe funded project (No 101057917)
- Excellence Cluster Resist, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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36
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Schlaak JF. Current Therapy of Chronic Viral Hepatitis B, C and D. J Pers Med 2023; 13:964. [PMID: 37373953 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13060964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The majority of chronic viral hepatitis cases are induced via infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), or hepatitis D virus (HDV). These patients are at increased risk for progressive liver disease leading to cirrhosis as well as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV infection is well controlled by the currently available nucleosides as well as nucleotides, and the development of cirrhosis can be prevented. Additionally, it has been shown that HBV-induced liver fibrosis can regress during successful antiviral treatment; however, a "functional cure", i.e., loss of HBsAg, is a rare event when these drugs are used. Therefore, novel therapeutic strategies are aiming at the selective suppression of HBsAg levels in combination with immunostimulation. The development of directly acting antivirals (DAAs) has revolutionized HCV therapy, as almost all patients can be cured via this treatment. Additionally, DAA therapy has few, if any, side effects, and is generally well tolerated by patients. HDV remains the most challenging type of chronic viral hepatitis. Although novel therapeutic options have recently been approved, response rates are still less favorable compared to HBV and HCV. This review discusses current and future options for the treatment of chronic HBV, HCV, and HDV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jörg F Schlaak
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ameos Hospital Oberhausen, Wilhelmstr. 34, 46145 Oberhausen, Germany
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Chida T, Ishida Y, Morioka S, Sugahara G, Han C, Lam B, Yamasaki C, Sugahara R, Li M, Tanaka Y, Liang TJ, Tateno C, Saito T. Persistent hepatic IFN system activation in HBV-HDV infection determines viral replication dynamics and therapeutic response. JCI Insight 2023; 8:162404. [PMID: 37154158 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.162404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis delta virus (HDV), a satellite virus of HBV, is regarded as the most severe type of hepatitis virus because of the substantial morbidity and mortality. The IFN system is the first line of defense against viral infections and an essential element of antiviral immunity; however, the role of the hepatic IFN system in controlling HBV-HDV infection remains poorly understood. Herein, we showed that HDV infection of human hepatocytes induced a potent and persistent activation of the IFN system whereas HBV was inert in triggering hepatic antiviral response. Moreover, we demonstrated that HDV-induced constitutive activation of the hepatic IFN system resulted in a potent suppression of HBV while modestly inhibiting HDV. Thus, these pathogens are equipped with distinctive immunogenicity and varying sensitivity to the antiviral effectors of IFN, leading to the establishment of a paradoxical mode of viral interference wherein HDV, the superinfectant, outcompetes HBV, the primary pathogen. Furthermore, our study revealed that HDV-induced constitutive IFN system activation led to a state of IFN refractoriness, rendering therapeutic IFNs ineffective. The present study provides potentially novel insights into the role of the hepatic IFN system in regulating HBV-HDV infection dynamics and its therapeutic implications through elucidating the molecular basis underlying the inefficacy of IFN-based antiviral strategies against HBV-HDV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Chida
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Yuji Ishida
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, California, USA
- PhoenixBio, Co., Ltd., Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Sho Morioka
- PhoenixBio, Co., Ltd., Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Go Sugahara
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, California, USA
- PhoenixBio, Co., Ltd., Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Christine Han
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Bill Lam
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Remi Sugahara
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Meng Li
- Bioinformatics Service, Norris Medical Library, USC, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Yasuhito Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - T Jake Liang
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Chise Tateno
- PhoenixBio, Co., Ltd., Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Takeshi Saito
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology
- Department of Pathology, and
- USC Research Center for Liver Diseases, Keck School of Medicine, USC, Los Angeles, California, USA
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38
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Hsu YC, Huang DQ, Nguyen MH. Global burden of hepatitis B virus: current status, missed opportunities and a call for action. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023:10.1038/s41575-023-00760-9. [PMID: 37024566 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-023-00760-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 78.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects about 296 million people worldwide and is the leading aetiology of cirrhosis and liver cancer globally. Major medical complications also include acute flares and extrahepatic manifestations. In addition, people living with HBV infection also experience stigma. HBV-related cirrhosis resulted in an estimated 331,000 deaths in 2019, and it is estimated that the number of deaths from HBV-related liver cancer in 2019 was 192,000, an increase from 156,000 in 2010. Meanwhile, HBV remains severely underdiagnosed and effective measures that can prevent infection and disease progression are underutilized. Birth dose coverage for HBV vaccines remains low, particularly in low-income countries or regions where HBV burden is high. Patients with HBV infection are inadequately evaluated and linked to care and are undertreated worldwide, even in high-income countries or regions. Despite the goal of the World Health Organization to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health problem by 2030, the annual global deaths from HBV are projected to increase by 39% from 2015 to 2030 if the status quo remains. In this Review, we discuss the current status and future projections of the global burden of HBV infection. We also discuss gaps in the current care cascade and propose future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao-Chun Hsu
- Center for Liver Diseases, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
- School of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
- Division of Gastroenterology, Fu-Jen Catholic University Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan.
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, New Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Daniel Q Huang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mindie H Nguyen
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University Medical Centre, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University Medical Centre, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
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Dietz-Fricke C, Tacke F, Zöllner C, Demir M, Schmidt HH, Schramm C, Willuweit K, Lange CM, Weber S, Denk G, Berg CP, Grottenthaler JM, Merle U, Olkus A, Zeuzem S, Sprinzl K, Berg T, van Bömmel F, Wiegand J, Herta T, Seufferlein T, Zizer E, Dikopoulos N, Thimme R, Neumann-Haefelin C, Galle PR, Sprinzl M, Lohse AW, Schulze zur Wiesch J, Kempski J, Geier A, Reiter FP, Schlevogt B, Gödiker J, Hofmann WP, Buggisch P, Kahlhöfer J, Port K, Maasoumy B, Cornberg M, Wedemeyer H, Deterding K. Treating hepatitis D with bulevirtide - Real-world experience from 114 patients. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100686. [PMID: 37025462 PMCID: PMC10071092 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Bulevirtide is a first-in-class entry inhibitor of hepatitis B surface antigen. In July 2020, bulevirtide was conditionally approved for the treatment of hepatitis D, the most severe form of viral hepatitis, which frequently causes end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Herein, we report the first data from a large multicenter real-world cohort of patients with hepatitis D treated with bulevirtide at a daily dose of 2 mg without additional interferon. Methods In a joint effort with 16 hepatological centers, we collected anonymized retrospective data from patients treated with bulevirtide for chronic hepatitis D. Results Our analysis is based on data from 114 patients, including 59 (52%) with cirrhosis, receiving a total of 4,289 weeks of bulevirtide treatment. A virologic response defined as an HDV RNA decline of at least 2 log or undetectable HDV RNA was observed in 87/114 (76%) cases with a mean time to virologic response of 23 weeks. In 11 cases, a virologic breakthrough (>1 log-increase in HDV RNA after virologic response) was observed. After 24 weeks of treatment, 19/33 patients (58%) had a virologic response, while three patients (9%) did not achieve a 1 log HDV RNA decline. No patient lost hepatitis B surface antigen. Alanine aminotransferase levels improved even in patients not achieving a virologic response, including five patients who had decompensated cirrhosis at the start of treatment. Treatment was well tolerated and there were no reports of drug-related serious adverse events. Conclusions In conclusion, we confirm the safety and efficacy of bulevirtide monotherapy in a large real-world cohort of patients with hepatitis D treated in Germany. Future studies need to explore the long-term benefits and optimal duration of bulevirtide treatment. Impact and implications Clinical trials proved the efficacy of bulevirtide for chronic hepatitis D and led to conditional approval by the European Medical Agency. Now it is of great interest to investigate the effects of bulevirtide treatment in a real-world setting. In this work, we included data from 114 patients with chronic hepatitis D who were treated with bulevirtide at 16 German centers. A virologic response was seen in 87/114 cases. After 24 weeks of treatment, only a small proportion of patients did not respond to treatment. At the same time, signs of liver inflammation improved. This observation was independent from changes in hepatitis D viral load. The treatment was generally well tolerated. In the future, it will be of interest to investigate the long-term effects of this new treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Dietz-Fricke
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology at Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum (CVK) and Campus Charité Mitte (CCM), Berlin, Germany
| | - Caroline Zöllner
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum (CVK) and Campus Charité Mitte (CCM), Berlin, Germany
| | - Münevver Demir
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum (CVK) and Campus Charité Mitte (CCM), Berlin, Germany
| | - Hartmut H. Schmidt
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Christoph Schramm
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Katharina Willuweit
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Christian M. Lange
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sabine Weber
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Gerald Denk
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christoph P. Berg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology, Hepatology, Infectiology, and Geriatrics, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Julia M. Grottenthaler
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology, Hepatology, Infectiology, and Geriatrics, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Uta Merle
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alexander Olkus
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Zeuzem
- Internal Medicine Department, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Kathrin Sprinzl
- Internal Medicine Department, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Thomas Berg
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Florian van Bömmel
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Johannes Wiegand
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Toni Herta
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Eugen Zizer
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Robert Thimme
- Department of Medicine II, University Medical Centre Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Neumann-Haefelin
- Department of Medicine II, University Medical Centre Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Peter R. Galle
- Department of Medicine I, University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Martin Sprinzl
- Department of Medicine I, University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ansgar W. Lohse
- I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julian Schulze zur Wiesch
- I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg - Lübeck - Borstel - Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jan Kempski
- I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Mildred Scheel Cancer Career Center HaTriCS, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Geier
- University Hospital Würzburg, Division of Hepatology, Dept. of Medicine II, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Florian P. Reiter
- University Hospital Würzburg, Division of Hepatology, Dept. of Medicine II, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Juliana Gödiker
- Department of Medicine B, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | - Peter Buggisch
- Ifi-Institute for Interdisciplinary Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julia Kahlhöfer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology at Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kerstin Port
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology at Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Benjamin Maasoumy
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology at Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology at Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- D-SOLVE consortium, a EU Horizon Europe funded project (No 101057917)
- Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (CiiM), a Joint Venture Between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology at Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Excellence Cluster Resist, Hannover Medical School, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
- D-SOLVE consortium, a EU Horizon Europe funded project (No 101057917)
| | - Katja Deterding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology at Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Corresponding author. Address: Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology at Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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Jeng WJ, Lok ASF. What will it take to cure hepatitis B? Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:02009842-202304010-00023. [PMID: 36972391 PMCID: PMC10043561 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The current treatment of chronic HBV infection, pegylated interferon-α (pegIFNα) and nucleos(t)ide analog (NA), can suppress HBV replication, reverse liver inflammation and fibrosis and reduce the risks of cirrhosis, HCC, and HBV-related deaths, but relapse is common when the treatment is stopped before HBsAg loss. There have been major efforts to develop a cure for HBV, defined as sustained HBsAg loss after a finite course of therapy. This requires the suppression of HBV replication and viral protein production and the restoration of immune response to HBV. Direct-acting antivirals targeting virus entry, capsid assembly, viral protein production and secretion are in clinical trials. Immune modulatory therapies to stimulate adaptive or innate immunity and/or to remove immune blockade are being tested. NAs are included in most and pegIFNα in some regimens. Despite the combination of 2 or more therapies, HBsAg loss remains rare in part because HbsAg can be derived not only from the covalently closed circular DNA but also from the integrated HBV DNA. Achievement of a functional HBV cure will require therapies to eliminate or silence covalently closed circular DNA and integrated HBV DNA. In addition, assays to differentiate the source of circulating HBsAg and to determine HBV immune recovery, as well as standardization and improvement of assays for HBV RNA and hepatitis B core-related antigen, surrogate markers for covalently closed circular DNA transcription, are needed to accurately assess response and to target treatments according to patient/disease characteristics. Platform trials will allow the comparison of multiple combinations and channel patients with different characteristics to the treatment that is most likely to succeed. Safety is paramount, given the excellent safety profile of NA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Juei Jeng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Anna S F Lok
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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41
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Sulkowski MS. Hepatitis D virus infection: Progress on the path toward disease control and cure. J Viral Hepat 2023; 30 Suppl 1:39-42. [PMID: 36856472 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
This article discusses the impact of Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection as a major cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality in people with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The article reviews the current knowledge and unanswered questions about the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and natural history of HDV infection. Although effective treatments for HDV infection have been elusive, interferon alfa is recommended for at least 48 weeks. However, response rates with standard-of-care peginterferon alfa are suboptimal, leading to few patients with a sustained virologic response. The article proposes novel approaches to treating HDV and HBV, including targeting reduction or loss of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) reduction, and discusses potential strategies for achieving HBsAg loss in patients with chronic HBV infection. Finally, the article discusses the landmark decision of accepting viral and biochemical surrogates by regulatory authorities, opening the door for the clinical development of drugs for patients with HDV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark S Sulkowski
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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42
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Sandmann L, Deterding K, Bremer B, Port K, Cornberg M, Wedemeyer H, Maasoumy B. Kinetics and predictive value of HBcrAg, HBV RNA and anti-HBc during bulevirtide treatment of chronic HDV-infected patients. J Viral Hepat 2023; 30:283-286. [PMID: 36648369 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The entry inhibitor bulevirtide (BLV) is a new treatment option for patients with chronic hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection and compensated liver disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the kinetic and predictive value of markers reflecting HBV cccDNA transcriptional activity and host immune response activity during BLV treatment in a real-life cohort of HDV infected patients. Levels of HDV RNA, HBV RNA, hepatitis B core related antigen (HBcrAg) and hepatitis B core antibodies (anti-HBc) were measured in 16 patients before (BL), after three (3M) and six (6M) months of treatment with BLV. All patients received nucleos(t)ide analogue treatment. HDV RNA declined in all patients during treatment. 38% (6/16) showed ≥ 2 log HDV RNA decline from BL to 6M and 11 patients (69%) normalized ALT levels. HBV RNA levels were low and only detectable in two to four patients. HBcrAg levels declined in 75% (12/16) of patients. Median HBcrAg levels declined significantly from BL to 6M (3.75 logU/ml (IQR 2.93-4.78) vs. 3.4 logU/ml (IQR 2-4.68), p=0.002). A similar trend was shown for anti-HBc between BL and 6M. Levels of HBcrAg or anti-HBc did not differ significantly between patients with or without ≥ 2 log HDV RNA decline from BL to 6M.After 6 months treatment with BLV, levels of HBcrAg showed a significant decline, while HBV RNA and anti-HBc levels did not change. Reduction of HBV cccDNA transcriptional activity and immunological effects of antiviral treatment might explain these changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Sandmann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Excellence Cluster RESIST, Excellence Initiative Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Katja Deterding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Birgit Bremer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kerstin Port
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Excellence Cluster RESIST, Excellence Initiative Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover, Braunschweig, Germany.,Center for Individualised Infection Medicine, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Excellence Cluster RESIST, Excellence Initiative Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Benjamin Maasoumy
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover, Braunschweig, Germany
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Menezes RC, Ferreira IBB, Rosier GL, Villalva-Serra K, Campos VMS, Passos BBS, Argolo JVS, Santana GC, Garcia SL, Pustilnik HN, Silva RRC, Barreto-Duarte B, Araújo-Pereira M, Andrade BB. Grand challenges in major tropical diseases: Part II. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2023.1180606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
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44
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Jachs M, Reiberger T, Ferenci P. Letter: chronic HDV infection-is ignorance bliss? Authors' reply. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2023; 57:359-360. [PMID: 36641789 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Jachs
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Rare Liver Disease (RALID) Center of the European Reference Network for Rare Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Reiberger
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Rare Liver Disease (RALID) Center of the European Reference Network for Rare Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Ferenci
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Durantel D. Therapies against chronic hepatitis B infections: The times they are a-changin', but the changing is slow! Antiviral Res 2023; 210:105515. [PMID: 36603773 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
PREAMBULAR NOTA BENE As a tribute to Dr Mike Bray, the following review of literature willbe mainly based on published data andconcepts, but will also contain my personal views, and in this respect could be more considered as a bioassay. Even though a cost-effective and excellent prophylactic vaccine exists since many years to protect against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, academic-researcher/drug-developers/stakeholders are still busy with the R&D of novel therapies that could eventually have an impact on its worldwide incidence. The Taiwanese experience have univocally demonstrated the effectiveness of constrained national HBV prophylactic vaccination programs to prevent the most dramatic HBV-induced end-stage liver disease, which is hepatocellular carcinoma; but yet the number of individuals chronically infected with the virus, for whom the existing prophylactic vaccine is no longer useful, remains high, with around 300 million individuals around the globe. In this review/bioassay, recent findings and novel concepts on prospective therapies against HBV infections will be discussed; yet it does not have the pretention to be exhaustive, as "pure immunotherapeutic concepts" will be mainly let aside (or referred to other reviews) due to a lack of expertise of this writer, but also due to the lack of, or incremental, positive results in clinical trials as-off today with these approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Durantel
- Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), INSERM U1111, UMR_5308 CNRS-Université de Lyon (UCBL1), ENS de Lyon, Lyon, 69007, France.
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Tiwari A, Khanikar D, Prajapati SK, Rathod SG, Tripathi R. Letter: chronic HDV infection-Is ignorance bliss? Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2023; 57:357-358. [PMID: 36641797 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Avinash Tiwari
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar, India
| | - Duncan Khanikar
- Department of Oncology, Dr. Bhubaneswar Borooah Cancer Institute (BBCI), Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Sandeep Kumar Prajapati
- Department of Gastroenterology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER), Dhanvantari Nagar, Puducherry, India
| | - Santosh Govind Rathod
- Department of Clinical Hematology, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar, India
| | - Riddhima Tripathi
- Sharda University School of Medical Sciences and Research, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Nicolini LA, Menzaghi B, Ricci E, Pontali E, Cenderello G, Orofino G, Cascio A, Pellicanò GF, Valsecchi L, Molteni C, Vichi F, Bonfanti P, Di Biagio A. Prevalence of HDV infection in people living with HIV: Data from a multicenter Italian cohort. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1086012. [PMID: 36778739 PMCID: PMC9911436 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1086012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives The development of novel antiviral agents active against Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) might change the natural history of chronic infection, reducing the risk for end-stage liver disease. People living with HIV (PWH) are at risk for bloodborne pathogens infection, but limited data on epidemiology of HDV infection is available in this setting. The aim of this study was to investigate HDV prevalence and attitude toward HDV testing and treatment in infectious diseases centers. Methods A cross sectional survey was performed among centers participating in the CISAI (Coordinamento Italiano per lo Studio dell'Allergia in Infezione da HIV) Group. The survey addressed anti-HDV prevalence and HDV-RNA detectability rates in PWH as well as perceived obstacles to treatment. Results Overall, responses from ten sites were collected. Among participating centers, 316 PWH with HBV chronic infection are currently followed. Of them, 15.2% had positive anti-HDV antibodies, while 13.9% were not tested yet. Overall, 17% of anti-HDV positive PWH tested at least once for HDV-RNA had active HDV infection, and 71% of them had advanced liver disease. Most infectious diseases centers intend to treat locally HDV infection with upcoming anti-HDV drugs, but some concerns exist regarding treatment schedule. Discussion HDV testing needs to be implemented in PWH. At present, few patients followed in the CISAI centers seem to be candidate to receive new direct active anti-HDV agents, but repeated HDV-RNA measures could change this proportion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Ambra Nicolini
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy,*Correspondence: Laura Ambra Nicolini,
| | - Barbara Menzaghi
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, ASST Della Valle Olona—Busto Arsizio (VA), Busto Arsizio, Italy
| | | | - Emanuele Pontali
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Galliera Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Giancarlo Orofino
- Division I of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, ASL Città di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Antonio Cascio
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Francesco Pellicanò
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Human Pathology of the Adult and the Developmental Age “G. Barresi”, The University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Laura Valsecchi
- 1st Department of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Molteni
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, A. Manzoni Hospital, Lecco, Italy
| | - Francesca Vichi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, SOC 1 USLCENTRO Firenze, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Paolo Bonfanti
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy,University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Biagio
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy,Department of Health Science (Dissal), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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Soriano V, Moreno-Torres V, Treviño A, Corral O, de Mendoza C. Bulevirtide in the Treatment of Hepatitis Delta: Drug Discovery, Clinical Development and Place in Therapy. Drug Des Devel Ther 2023; 17:155-166. [PMID: 36712949 PMCID: PMC9875571 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s379964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been ten years since the identification of NTCP as the cell surface receptor for HBV and HDV entry into hepatocytes. The search for molecules interfering with the binding of NTCP and HBV/HDV led to design bulevirtide (BLV). This large polypeptide mimics a region of the pre-S1 HBsAg and blocks viral entry by inhibitory competition. BLV was initially tested in cell cultures, animal models and more recently in Phase I-III human trials (called 'MYRS'). As monotherapy or in combination with peginterferon, BLV is well tolerated and exhibits potent antiviral activity. Plasma viremia significantly declines and/or becomes undetectable in more than 75% of patients treated for >24 weeks. However, serum HBsAg concentrations remain unchanged. No selection of BLV resistance in HBV/HDV has been reported in vivo to date. BLV is administered subcutaneously once daily at doses between 2 and 10 mg. BLV received conditional approval in Europe in 2020 to treat chronic hepatitis delta. The advent of peginterferon lambda or new specific anti-HDV antivirals (lonafarnib, etc.) will open the door for combination therapies with BLV. Since there is no stable reservoir for HDV-RNA within infected hepatocytes, viral clearance might be achieved using antivirals for a minimum timeframe. This is what happens in hepatitis C combining several antivirals, curing nearly all patients treated for 3 months. Clearance of HDV-RNA genomes may occur despite HBV persistence as cccDNA or chromosome integrated HBV-DNA within hepatocytes. This is supported by cases of HDV elimination using BLV despite persistence of serum HBsAg. Another path for HDV cure will derive from achieving HBsAg clearance, the goal of new promising anti-HBV gene therapies (bepirovirsen, etc.). In summary, the advent of BLV has triggered a renovated interest for antiviral therapy in hepatitis delta. We envision combination therapies that will lead to HDV cure in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Soriano
- Health Sciences School & Medical Center, Universidad Internacional La Rioja (UNIR), Madrid, Spain,Correspondence: Vicente Soriano, UNIR Health Sciences School & Medical Center, Calle García Martín 21, Pozuelo de Alarcón 28224, Madrid, Spain, Tel +34 659687981, Email
| | - Victor Moreno-Torres
- Health Sciences School & Medical Center, Universidad Internacional La Rioja (UNIR), Madrid, Spain,Puerta de Hierro University Hospital & Research Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Treviño
- Health Sciences School & Medical Center, Universidad Internacional La Rioja (UNIR), Madrid, Spain
| | - Octavio Corral
- Health Sciences School & Medical Center, Universidad Internacional La Rioja (UNIR), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen de Mendoza
- Puerta de Hierro University Hospital & Research Institute, Madrid, Spain
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Alqahtani SA, Sanai FM, van Selm L, Lazarus JV. Response to "Hepatitis delta virus infection in the Middle East". Liver Int 2023; 43:257. [PMID: 36205593 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Saleh A Alqahtani
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Liver Transplant Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faisal M Sanai
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lena van Selm
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jeffrey V Lazarus
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH), New York, New York, USA
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Zhu V, Burhenne J, Weiss J, Haag M, Hofmann U, Schwab M, Urban S, Mikus G, Czock D, Haefeli WE, Blank A. Evaluation of the drug-drug interaction potential of the novel hepatitis B and D virus entry inhibitor bulevirtide at OATP1B in healthy volunteers. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1128547. [PMID: 37089922 PMCID: PMC10117888 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1128547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Bulevirtide is a first-in-class antiviral drug to treat chronic hepatitis B/D. We investigated the drug-drug interaction potential and pharmacokinetics of high-dose subcutaneous bulevirtide (5 mg twice daily) with organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1) and cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4. Methods: This was a single-center, open-label, fixed-sequence drug-drug interaction trial in 19 healthy volunteers. Before and at bulevirtide steady state, participants ingested a single 40 mg dose of pravastatin. A midazolam microdose was applied to quantify CYP3A4 activity. Results: At bulevirtide steady state, pravastatin area under the concentration-time curve (AUC0-∞) increased 1.32-fold (90% CI 1.08-1.61). The 5 mg bulevirtide twice-daily treatment resulted in a mean AUC0-12 of 1210 h*ng/ml (95% CI 1040-1408) and remained essentially unchanged under the influence of pravastatin. CYP3A4 activity did not change to a clinically relevant extent. As expected, total bile acids increased substantially (35-fold) compared to baseline during bulevirtide treatment. All study medication was well tolerated. Discussion: The study demonstrated that high-dose bulevirtide inhibited OATP1B-mediated hepatic uptake of the marker substrate pravastatin but the extent is considered clinically not relevant. Changes in CYP3A4 activity were also not clinically relevant. In conclusion, this study suggests that OATP1B substrate drugs as well as CYP3A4 substrates may safely be used without dose adjustment in patients treated with bulevirtide. However, in patients using high statin doses and where concomitant factors potentially further increase statin exposure, caution may be required when using bulevirtide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Zhu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Burhenne
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Johanna Weiss
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mathias Haag
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch-Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Stuttgart, Germany
- University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ute Hofmann
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch-Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Stuttgart, Germany
- University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Schwab
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch-Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Stuttgart, Germany
- Departments of Clinical Pharmacology and of Biochemistry and Pharmacy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180), Image‐guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stephan Urban
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gerd Mikus
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - David Czock
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Walter E. Haefeli
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Antje Blank
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Antje Blank,
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