1
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Gish RG, Wong RJ, Di Tanna GL, Kaushik A, Kim C, Smith NJ, Kennedy PT. Association of hepatitis delta virus with liver morbidity and mortality: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Hepatology 2024; 79:1129-1140. [PMID: 37870278 PMCID: PMC11019996 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Studies have suggested that patients with chronic hepatitis B, either co- or superinfected, have more aggressive liver disease progression than those with the HDV. This systematic literature review and meta-analysis examined whether HDV RNA status is associated with increased risk of advanced liver disease events in patients who are HBsAg and HDV antibody positive. APPROACH AND RESULTS A total of 12 publications were included. Relative rates of progression to advanced liver disease event for HDV RNA+/detectable versus HDV RNA-/undetectable were extracted for analysis. Reported OR and HRs with 95% CI were pooled using the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman method for random-effects models. The presence of HDV RNA+ was associated with an increased risk of any advanced liver disease event [random effect (95% CI): risk ratio: 1.48 (0.93, 2.33); HR: 2.62 (1.55, 4.44)]. When compared to the patients with HDV RNA- status, HDV RNA+ was associated with a significantly higher risk of progressing to compensated cirrhosis [risk ratio: 1.74 (1.24, 2.45)] decompensated cirrhosis [HR: 3.82 (1.60, 9.10)], HCC [HR: 2.97 (1.87, 4.70)], liver transplantation [HR: 7.07 (1.61, 30.99)], and liver-related mortality [HR: 3.78 (2.18, 6.56)]. CONCLUSIONS The patients with HDV RNA+ status have a significantly greater risk of liver disease progression than the patients who are HDV RNA-. These findings highlight the need for improved HDV screening and linkage to treatment to reduce the risk of liver-related morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert G. Gish
- University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, Las Vegas, USA
| | - Robert J. Wong
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Healthcare System, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Gian Luca Di Tanna
- Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland
| | - Ankita Kaushik
- Gilead Sciences Inc., Global Value and Access, Foster City, California, USA
| | - Chong Kim
- Gilead Sciences Inc., Global Value and Access, Foster City, California, USA
| | | | - Patrick T.F. Kennedy
- Barts Liver Centre, Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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2
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Buti M, Gonzalez A, Riveiro-Barciela M, Bourliere M. Management of chronic HBV-HDV patients chronic HBV-HDV infection: A review on new management options. United European Gastroenterol J 2024; 12:210-218. [PMID: 38041549 PMCID: PMC10954430 DOI: 10.1002/ueg2.12494] [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: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis D virus was first described by Mario Rizzeto in 1977, and it is considered chronic viral hepatitis with the poorest prognosis. Despite its discovery almost 50 years ago, progress in its diagnosis and treatment has been scarce until recent years. The approval of bulevirtide has shed some light for patients with Chronic Hepatitis D, although important gaps regarding its use in therapy as well as about the epidemiology and diagnosis of the disease need to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Buti
- Liver Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitari Valld'Hebron, Valld'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERehd, Instituto Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Mar Riveiro-Barciela
- Liver Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitari Valld'Hebron, Valld'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERehd, Instituto Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Bourliere
- Liver Unit, Saint Joseph Hopital, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille University, Inserm, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Économiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Marseille, France
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3
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Gopalakrishna H, Mironova M, Dahari H, Koh C, Heller T. Advances and Challenges in Managing Hepatitis D Virus: Evolving Strategies. CURRENT HEPATOLOGY REPORTS 2024; 23:32-44. [PMID: 38533303 PMCID: PMC10965034 DOI: 10.1007/s11901-024-00643-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Hepatitis D Virus (HDV), although a small defective virus, poses a substantial public health challenge due to lack of awareness, underrecognized prevalence, and limited treatment options. Universal HDV screening within hepatitis B virus (HBV) cohorts is essential to address this issue. Despite its aggressive nature, effective HDV therapies have remained elusive for over four decades. Recent Findings Advances in understanding HDV's biology and clinical behavior offer potential therapeutic breakthroughs, fostering optimism. As insights grow, effective and targeted therapies are being developed to improve HDV management. Summary This review delves into HDV's intricate structure and biology, highlighting formidable hurdles in antiviral development. It emphasizes the importance of widespread screening, exploring noninvasive diagnostics, and examining current and emerging innovative therapeutic strategies. Moreover, the review explores models for monitoring treatment response. In essence, this review simplifies the complexities of effectively combating HDV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harish Gopalakrishna
- Liver Disease Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Maria Mironova
- Liver Disease Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Harel Dahari
- The Program for Experimental & Theoretical Modeling, Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Christopher Koh
- Liver Disease Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Theo Heller
- Liver Disease Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Translational Hepatology Section, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Building 10, Room 4-5722, Bethesda, MD 20892-1800, USA
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4
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Kamal H, Lindahl K, Ingre M, Gahrton C, Karkkonen K, Nowak P, Vesterbacka J, Stål P, Wedemeyer H, Duberg AS, Aleman S. The cascade of care for patients with chronic hepatitis delta in Southern Stockholm, Sweden for the past 30 years. Liver Int 2024; 44:228-240. [PMID: 37904316 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15770] [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: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Previous studies have shown suboptimal screening for hepatitis D virus (HDV) among patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This study presents the cascade of care for HDV infection in a major secondary referral centre in Southern Stockholm, Sweden. METHODS HBsAg+ve patients attending Karolinska University Hospital (KUH) from 1992 to 2022 were identified. The prevalence of anti-HDV and/or HDV RNA positivity, interferon (IFN) therapy and maintained virological responses (MVR) after HDV treatment were assessed. Also, time to anti-HDV testing was analysed in relation to liver-related outcomes with logistic regression. RESULTS Among 4095 HBsAg+ve persons, 3703 (90.4%) underwent an anti-HDV screening; within a median of 1.8 months (range 0.0-57.1) after CHB diagnosis. This screening rate increased over time, to 97.9% in the last decade. Overall, 310 (8.4%) were anti-HDV+ve, of which 202 (65.2%) were HDV RNA+ve. Eighty-five (42%) received IFN, and 9 (10.6%) achieved MVR at the last follow-up. The predictive factors for anti-HDV screening were Asian origin, diagnosis after the year 2012, HIV co-infection (negative factor) and HBV DNA level < 2000 IU/mL in univariable analysis, while HIV co-infection was the only remaining factor in multivariable analysis. Delayed anti-HDV test >5 years was independently associated with worsened liver-related outcomes (adjusted odds ratio = 7.6, 95% CI 1.8-31.6). CONCLUSION Higher frequency of HDV screening than previously published data could be seen among CHB patients at KUH in a low-endemic setting. Receiving a delayed screening test seems to be associated with worse outcomes, stressing the need of a strategy for timely HDV diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Habiba Kamal
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin Lindahl
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michael Ingre
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Caroline Gahrton
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kerstin Karkkonen
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Piotr Nowak
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jan Vesterbacka
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per Stål
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Upper GI Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ann-Sofi Duberg
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Soo Aleman
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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Anastasiou OE, 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, Heidrich B, Mederacke I, von der Leyen H, Kahlhöfer J, von Karpowitz M, Hardtke S, Cornberg M, Yurdaydin C, Wedemeyer H. Five-year follow-up of 96 weeks peginterferon plus tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in hepatitis D. Liver Int 2024; 44:139-147. [PMID: 37787009 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15745] [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: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Until recently, pegylated interferon-alfa-2a (PEG-IFNa) therapy was the only treatment option for patients infected with hepatitis D virus (HDV). Treatment with PEG-IFNa with or without tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) for 96 weeks resulted in HDV RNA suppression in 44% of patients at the end of therapy but did not prevent short-term relapses within 24 weeks. The virological and clinical long-term effects after prolonged PEG-IFNa-based treatment of hepatitis D are unknown. METHODS In the HIDIT-II study patients (including 40% with liver cirrhosis) received 180 μg PEG-IFNa weekly plus 300 mg TDF once daily (n = 59) or 180 μg PEG-IFNa weekly plus placebo (n = 61) for 96 weeks. Patients were followed until week 356 (5 years after end of therapy). RESULTS Until the end of follow-up, 16 (13%) patients developed liver-related complications (PEG-IFNa + TDF, n = 5 vs PEG-IFNa + placebo, n = 11; p = .179). Achieving HDV suppression at week 96 was associated with decreased long-term risk for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (p = .04) and hepatic decompensation (p = .009). Including complications irrespective of PEG-IFNa retreatment status, the number of patients developing serious complications was similar with (3/18) and without retreatment with PEG-IFNa (16/102, p > .999) but was associated with a higher chance of HDV-RNA suppression (p = .024, odds ratio 3.9 [1.3-12]). CONCLUSIONS Liver-related clinical events were infrequent and occurred less frequently in patients with virological responses to PEG-IFNa treatment. PEG-IFNa treatment should be recommended to HDV-infected patients until alternative therapies become available. Retreatment with PEG-IFNa should be considered for patients with inadequate response to the first course of treatment. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT00932971.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olympia E Anastasiou
- Institute for Virology, Medical Faculty of the University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, 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
| | - Andreas Erhardt
- Heinrich Heine University, Dusseldorf, Germany
- Petrus Hospital, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Stefan Lüth
- Department of Gastroenterology, Diabetology and Hepatology, University Hospital Brandenburg, Brandenburg Medical School (Theodor Fontane), Brandenburg, Germany
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Joint Faculty of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus - Senftenberg, The Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane and the University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | | | - Onur Keskin
- Ankara University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
| | | | - Monica Radu
- Institutul de Boli Infectioase, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | | | | | | | - Heiko von der Leyen
- Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Orgenesis, Inc, Germantown, Maryland, USA
| | - Julia Kahlhöfer
- Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), HepNet Study-House/German Liver Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- D-SOLVE Consortium an EU Horizon Europe funded project (No 101057917), Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Svenja Hardtke
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), HepNet Study-House/German Liver Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), HepNet Study-House/German Liver Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- D-SOLVE Consortium an EU Horizon Europe funded project (No 101057917), Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
| | - Cihan Yurdaydin
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Koc University Medical School, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), HepNet Study-House/German Liver Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- D-SOLVE Consortium an EU Horizon Europe funded project (No 101057917), Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
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6
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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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7
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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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8
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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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9
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Wranke A, Heidrich B, Deterding K, Hupa-Breier KL, Kirschner J, Bremer B, Cornberg M, Wedemeyer H. Clinical long-term outcome of hepatitis D compared to hepatitis B monoinfection. Hepatol Int 2023; 17:1359-1367. [PMID: 37789170 PMCID: PMC10661878 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-023-10575-0] [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: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection causes the most severe form of chronic viral hepatitis. However, it is still unclear to what extent the underlying cirrhosis may contribute to disease progression. The aim of this study was to compare the long-term outcome of HDV infection with HBV monoinfection in a single-center cohort of both non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic patients. METHOD We retrospectively studied 175 patients with chronic hepatitis D (CHD) who were followed for at least 6 months (median of 6.3 (0.6-23.6) years). In addition, we selected 175 patients with HBV monoinfection (CHB) who were matched for gender, age, region of origin, HBeAg status, and bilirubin. Liver-related clinical end points were defined as hepatic decompensation (ascites, encephalopathy, variceal bleeding), liver transplantation, HCC, or liver-related death. RESULTS Clinical complications developed earlier (4.6 vs. 6.2 years) and more frequently (35.4% vs. 12.6%, p < 0.01) in CHD patients. In a multivariate Cox regression, HDV infection was independently associated with the development of end points (p < 0.01; HR: 3.0; 95% CI 1.4-6.4). However, in cirrhotic patients there were no significant differences between HBV and HDV in the development of end points. Besides, CHB patients with cirrhosis developed more frequently HCC (35.5%) than CHD patients with cirrhosis (18.5%). CONCLUSION Our results confirmed that HDV leads to a faster progression to cirrhosis compared to HBV. However, once cirrhosis is present, not HDV but the underlying cirrhosis is the dominate intrinsic risk factor for the development of liver-related end points and for the progression to HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anika Wranke
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Benjamin Heidrich
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Katja Deterding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Katharina Luise Hupa-Breier
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Janina Kirschner
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Birgit Bremer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Sites: Hannover - Braunschweig, Germany
- D-Solve Consortium, Hannover, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Sites: Hannover - Braunschweig, Germany.
- D-Solve Consortium, Hannover, Germany.
- Excellence Cluster Resist, Hannover, Germany.
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10
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Ghany MG, Buti M, Lampertico P, Lee HM. Guidance on treatment endpoints and study design for clinical trials aiming to achieve cure in chronic hepatitis B and D: Report from the 2022 AASLD-EASL HBV-HDV Treatment Endpoints Conference. J Hepatol 2023; 79:1254-1269. [PMID: 37377088 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Representatives from academia, industry, regulatory agencies, and patient advocacy groups convened under the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) and the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) in June 2022 with the primary goal of achieving consensus on chronic HBV and HDV treatment endpoints to guide clinical trials aiming to "cure" HBV and HDV. Conference participants reached an agreement on some key points. The preferred primary endpoint for phase II/III trials evaluating finite treatments for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a "functional" cure, defined as sustained HBsAg loss and HBV DNA less than the lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) 24 weeks off-treatment. An alternate endpoint would be "partial cure" defined as sustained HBsAg level <100 IU/mL and HBV DNA
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc G Ghany
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
| | - Maria Buti
- Liver Unit, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and CIBEREHD del Instituto Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pietro Lampertico
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Milan, Italy; CRC "A. M. and A. Migliavacca" Center for Liver Disease, Milan, Italy
| | - Hannah M Lee
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Stravitz Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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11
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Abdul Majeed N, Zehnder B, Koh C, Heller T, Urban S. Hepatitis delta: Epidemiology to recent advances in therapeutic agents. Hepatology 2023; 78:1306-1321. [PMID: 36738087 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000331] [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: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis D virus (HDV) was first described in 1977 and is dependent on the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) for its entry into cells and on the human host for replication. Due to the envelopment with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope, early phases of HDV entry resemble HBV infection. Unlike HBV, HDV activates innate immune responses. The global prevalence of HDV is estimated to be about 5% of HBsAg positive individuals. However, recent studies have described a wide range of prevalence between 12 to 72 million individuals. Infection can occur as super-infection or co-infection. The diagnosis of active HDV infection involves screening with anti HDV antibodies followed by quantitative PCR testing for HDV RNA in those who are HBsAg positive. The diagnostic studies have evolved over the years improving the validity and reliability of the tests performed. HDV infection is considered the most severe form of viral hepatitis and the HDV genotype may influence the disease course. There are eight major HDV genotypes with prevalence varying by geographic region. HDV treatment has been challenging as HDV strongly depends on the host cell for replication and provides few, if any viral targets. Better understanding of HDV virology has led to the development of several therapeutic agents currently being studied in different phase II and III clinical trials. There is increasing promise of effective therapies that will ameliorate the course of this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nehna Abdul Majeed
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Benno Zehnder
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christopher Koh
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Theo Heller
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 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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12
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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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13
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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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14
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Pan C, Gish R, Jacobson IM, Hu KQ, Wedemeyer H, Martin P. Diagnosis and Management of Hepatitis Delta Virus Infection. Dig Dis Sci 2023; 68:3237-3248. [PMID: 37338616 PMCID: PMC10374831 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-023-07960-y] [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: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis D virus (HDV) depends on hepatitis B virus (HBV) to enter and exit hepatocytes and to replicate. Despite this dependency, HDV can cause severe liver disease. HDV accelerates liver fibrosis, increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, and hastens hepatic decompensation compared to chronic HBV monoinfection. The Chronic Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF) formed an expert panel to publish updated guidelines on the testing, diagnosis, and management of hepatitis delta virus. The panel group performed network data review on the transmission, epidemiology, natural history, and disease sequelae of acute and chronic HDV infection. Based on current available evidence, we provide recommendations for screening, testing, diagnosis, and treatment of hepatitis D infection and review upcoming novel agents that may expand treatment options. The CLDF recommends universal HDV screening for all patients who are Hepatitis B surface antigen-positive. Initial screening should be with an assay to detect antibodies generated against HDV (anti-HDV). Patients who are positive for anti-HDV IgG antibodies should then undergo quantitative HDV RNA testing. We also provide an algorithm that describes CLDF recommendations on the screening, diagnosis, testing, and initial management of Hepatitis D infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calvin Pan
- Guangzhou Eighth People’s Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology, NYU Langone Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Robert Gish
- Robert G. Gish Consultants, LLC, 6022 La Jolla Mesa Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037-7814 USA
- Medical Director Hepatitis B Foundation, Doylestown, PA USA
| | - Ira M. Jacobson
- NYU Langone Gastroenterology Associates, 240 East 38Th Street, 23Rd Floor, New York, NY 10016 USA
| | - Ke-Qin Hu
- University of California, Irvine, 101 The City Dr S, Building 22C, Room 1503, Orange, CA 92868 USA
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Paul Martin
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1500 NW 12 AVE., E Tower #1101, Miami, FL 33136 USA
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15
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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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16
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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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17
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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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18
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Kamal H, Aleman S. Natural history of untreated HDV patients: Always a progressive disease? Liver Int 2023; 43 Suppl 1:5-21. [PMID: 36308026 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15467] [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: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
A severe course has been described in early studies on chronic hepatitis D (CHD), with faster pace towards liver cirrhosis with subsequent high liver-related morbidity and mortality in the majority of patients. Earlier studies have included risk groups as people using intravenous drugs (PWID) or those with multiple co-morbidities. During the last decade, the epidemiological landscape of CHD has changed with domestic cases decreasing while increasing cases of CHD consisting of younger persons immigrating from endemic regions to low-endemic regions. Recently, further insights into the spectrum of the disease with an indolent disease course in a substantial proportion of persons with CHD have been gained. At diagnosis, ≥30%-50% had already established liver cirrhosis. Older age, liver cirrhosis, co-infection with HIV and lack of interferon (IFN) therapy are the main predictors of worse clinical outcome. The newly introduced and upcoming antivirals against CHD are highly anticipated, considering the historically low virological response rates to antiviral therapy. Further knowledge is needed to fully comprehend the natural course and the spectrum of this severe form of viral hepatitis. This is also to be able to evaluate the long-term effects of the new antivirals on disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Habiba Kamal
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Infectious Diseases, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Soo Aleman
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Infectious Diseases, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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19
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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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20
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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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21
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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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22
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Keskin O, Yurdaydin C. Emerging drugs for hepatitis D. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 2023:1-12. [PMID: 37096555 DOI: 10.1080/14728214.2023.2205639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic hepatitis delta (CHD) is the most severe form of chronic viral hepatitis. Until recently, its treatment consisted of pegylated interferon alfa (pegIFN) use. AREAS COVERED Current and new drugs for treating CHD. Virus entry inhibitor bulevirtide has received conditional approval by the European Medicines Agency. Prenylation inhibitor lonafarnib and pegIFN lambda are in phase 3 and nucleic acid polymers in phase 2 of drug development. EXPERT OPINION Bulevirtide appears to be safe. Its antiviral efficacy increases with treatment duration. Combining bulevirtide with pegIFN has the highest antiviral efficacy short-term. The prenylation inhibitor lonafarnib prevents hepatitis D virus assembly. It is associated with dose dependent gastrointestinal toxicity and is better used with ritonavir which increases liver lonafarnib concentrations. Lonafarnib also possesses immune modulatory properties which explains some post-treatment beneficial flare cases. Combining lonafarnib/ritonavir with pegIFN has superior antiviral efficacy. Nucleic acid polymers are amphipathic oligonucleotides whose effect appears to be a consequence of phosphorothioate modification of internucleotide linkages. These compounds led to HBsAg clearance in a sizeable proportion of patients. PegIFN lambda is associated with less IFN typical side effects. In a phase 2 study it led to 6 months off treatment viral response in one third of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onur Keskin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hacettepe University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Cihan Yurdaydin
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Koc University Medical School, Istanbul, Turkey
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23
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Brancaccio G, Shanyinde M, Puoti M, Gaeta GB, Monforte AD, Vergori A, Rusconi S, Mazzarelli A, Castagna A, Antinori A, Cozzi-Lepri A. Hepatitis delta coinfection in persons with HIV: misdiagnosis and disease burden in Italy. Pathog Glob Health 2023; 117:181-189. [PMID: 35249472 PMCID: PMC9970224 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2022.2047551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) causes severe liver disease. Due to similarities in transmission routes, persons living with HIV (PLWH) are at risk of HDV infection. This analysis investigates the prevalence and the long-term clinical outcome of people with HDV in a large cohort of PLWH. We retrieved HBsAg ± anti-HDV positive PLWH enrolled from 1997 to 2015 in the multicentre, prospective ICONA study. The primary endpoint was a composite clinical outcome (CCO = having experienced ≥1 of the following: Fib4 score >3.25; diagnosis of cirrhosis; decompensation; hepatocellular carcinoma or liver-related death). Kaplan-Meier curves and unweighted and weighted Cox regression models were used for data analysis. Less than half of HBsAg positive patients had been tested for anti-HDV in clinical practice. After testing stored sera, among 617 HBV/HIV cases, 115 (19%) were anti-HDV positive; 405 (65%) HBV monoinfected; 99 (16%) undeterminate. The prevalence declined over the observation period. HDV patients were more often males, intravenous drug users, HCV coinfected. After a median of 26 months, 55/115 (48%) developed CCO among HDV+; 98/403 (24%) among HBV monoinfected; 18/99 (18%) in HDV unknown (p < 0.001). After controlling for geographical region, alcohol consumption, CD4 count, anti-HCV status and IFN-based therapies, the association with HDV retained statistical significance [HR = 1.67 (1.15, 2.95; p = 0.025)]. HDV infection among PLWH is underdiagnosed, although HDV entails an high risk of liver disease progression. Because effective drugs to treat HDV are now available, it is even more crucial to identify PLWH at an early stage of liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Milensu Shanyinde
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Massimo Puoti
- Infectious Diseases, Hospital Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni B Gaeta
- Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Vergori
- Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases "L. Spallanzani", Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Rusconi
- UOC Malattie Infettive, Ospedale Civile di Legnano, ASST Ovest Milanese, Legnano, Italy
| | - Antonio Mazzarelli
- Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases "L. Spallanzani", Rome, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Antinori
- Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases "L. Spallanzani", Rome, Italy
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24
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What does quantitative HBsAg level mean in chronic hepatitis D infection? Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 35:320-326. [PMID: 36708303 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000002489] [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] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection, which is an important etiological cause of chronic liver disease, the relationship between serum quantitative HBsAg level and fibrosis and histological activity was investigated. METHODS Between 2014 and 2020, 98 patients with chronic HDV infection (53 noncirrhotic, 45 cirrhotic) participated in this prospectively designed study. Quantitative HBsAg levels of the patients were measured and their relationship with the stage of chronic liver disease was compared with histological activity index (HAI), fibrosis score and HDV RNA, model for end-stage liver disease score and other biochemical parameters. RESULTS All patients were infected with genotype 1 (100%). HBeAg was positive in 8 (8.1%) of the patients. A correlation was found between quantitative HBsAg level and HDV RNA level in patients with both cirrhotic (r = 0.568; P < 0.001) and noncirrhotic (r = 0.644; P < 0.001) HDV infection. Alanine transaminase (P = 0.001; r = 0.495) and aspartate transaminase (P = 0.001; r = 0.511) levels correlated with quantitative HBsAg levels, more prominently in noncirrhotic patients. There was a correlation between quantitative HBsAg level and histological activity index (HAI) in patients with noncirrhotic HDV infection (P < 0.001; r = 0.664). In receiver operating characteristic analysis, both quantitative HBsAg (for cutoff: 1000; sensitivity 76%; specificity 17%; P = 0.335) and HDV RNA (for cutoff: 100000; sensitivity 2%; specificity 98%; P = 0.096) were not predictive markers for cirrhosis. CONCLUSION Quantitative HBsAg level can be evaluated as an indicator of viral replication and histological activity in patients with chronic delta hepatitis without cirrhosis. We think that quantitative HBsAg level will be useful in the management of chronic HDV infection, especially in noncirrhotic patients.
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25
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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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26
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Kalkan Ç, Yılmaz Y, Erdoğan BD, Savaş B, Yurdcu E, Çalışkan A, Keskin O, Gencdal G, Zeybel M, Törüner M, Bozdayi AM, Idilman R, Yurdaydin C. Non-invasive fibrosis markers for assessment of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis delta. J Viral Hepat 2023; 30:406-416. [PMID: 36651603 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Assessment of liver fibrosis by non-invasive means is clinically important. Studies in chronic hepatitis delta (CHD) are scarce. We evaluated the performance of eight serum fibrosis markers [fibrosis-4 score (FIB-4), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio (AAR), age-platelet index (API), AST-to platelet-ratio-index (APRI), Goteborg University Cirrhosis Index (GUCI), Lok index, cirrhosis discriminant score (CDS) and Hui score] in CHD and chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Liver stiffness was assessed by transient elastography (TE) in CHD. The ability of fibrosis markers to detect significant fibrosis and cirrhosis were evaluated in 202 CHB and 108 CHD patients using published and new cut-offs through receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. The latter was also applied to obtain cut-offs for TE. APRI, Fib-4, API and Hui score were assessed for significant fibrosis, and APRI, GUCI, Lok index, CDS and AAR for cirrhosis determination. Fibrosis markers displayed weak performance in CHB for significant fibrosis with area under ROC (AUROC) curves between 0.62 and 0.71. They did slightly better for CHD. TE displayed an AUROC of 0.92 and performed better than serum fibrosis markers (p < 0.05 for fibrosis markers). For cirrhosis determination, CDS and Lok Index displayed an AUROC of 088 and 0.89 in CHB and GUCI, Lok index and APRI displayed AUROCs around 0.90 in CHD. TE displayed the best AUROC (0.95). Hence TE is superior to serum fibrosis markers for diagnosing significant liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. GUCI, Lok index and APRI displayed a reasonable performance in CHD, which needs further confirmation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Çağdaş Kalkan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ankara University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Yusufcan Yılmaz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ankara University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
| | | | - Berna Savaş
- Department of Pathology, Ankara University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Esra Yurdcu
- Hepatology Institute, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Aysun Çalışkan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ankara University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Onur Keskin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ankara University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Genco Gencdal
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Koç University Medical School, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Müjdat Zeybel
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Koç University Medical School, Istanbul, Turkey.,NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust & University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Murat Törüner
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ankara University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
| | | | - Ramazan Idilman
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ankara University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Cihan Yurdaydin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ankara University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey.,Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Koç University Medical School, Istanbul, Turkey
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27
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Da BL. Clinical trials in hepatitis D virus: Measuring success. Hepatology 2022; 77:2147-2157. [PMID: 35969089 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis D infection results in the most severe form of chronic viral hepatitis but currently lacks effective treatment options. Therapy with pegylated interferon alpha is recommended for finite treatment duration by major liver societies. Still, it is plagued by low rates of sustained virologic response (SVR) and frequent relapses even if SVR is achieved. Recently, a wave of investigational therapies has come under evaluation, including bulevirtide, lonafarnib, pegylated interferon lambda, and REP-2139 creating excitement with this viral infection. However, there has been significant variability in the endpoints used to evaluate these therapeutics. One of the recently introduced endpoints is characterized by a decline in HDV RNA by 2 logs, with or without achieving an undetectable serum hepatitis D virus (HDV) RNA, as a marker of virologic response. Furthermore, this measure has been combined with alanine aminotransferase normalization, also known as a biochemical response, to formulate the primary endpoint of several late-stage studies. Per recent guidance by the US Food and Drug Administration, these should be surrogate endpoints that will ultimately portend long-term clinical benefits. These clinical benefits may include reducing the risk of progression to cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver transplantation, and mortality. However, the optimal way to measure success in HDV clinical trials remains unknown and will continue to evolve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben L Da
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Sandra Atlas Bass Center for Liver Diseases and Transplantation, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York, USA
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28
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Jachs M, Schwarz C, Panzer M, Binter T, Aberle SW, Hartl L, Dax K, Aigner E, Stättermayer AF, Munda P, Graziadei I, Holzmann H, Trauner M, Zoller H, Gschwantler M, Mandorfer M, Reiberger T, Ferenci P. Response-guided long-term treatment of chronic hepatitis D patients with bulevirtide-results of a "real world" study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2022; 56:144-154. [PMID: 35514008 PMCID: PMC9321570 DOI: 10.1111/apt.16945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Bulevirtide (BLV) blocks the uptake of the hepatitis D virus (HDV) into hepatocytes via the sodium/bile acid cotransporter NTCP. BLV was conditionally approved by the EMA but real-life data on BLV efficacy are limited. METHODS Patients were treated with BLV monotherapy. Patients who did not achieve further decreases in HDV-RNA after 24 weeks were offered PEG-IFN as an add-on therapy in a response-guided manner. RESULTS Twenty-three patients (m: 10, f: 13; mean age: 47.9 years, cirrhosis: 16; median ALT: 71 IU/ml; median HDV-RNA: 2.1 × 105 copies/ml) started BLV monotherapy (2 mg/day: 22; 10 mg/day: 1). Twenty-two completed ≥24 weeks of treatment (24-137 weeks): Ten (45%) were classified as BLV responders at week 24. BLV was stopped in two patients with >6 months HDV-RNA undetectability, but both became HDV-RNA positive again. One patient was transplanted at week 25. One patient terminated treatment because of side effects at week 60. Ten patients are still on BLV monotherapy. Adding PEG-IFN in eight patients induced an HDV-RNA decrease in all (1.29 ± 0.19 [SD] log within 12 weeks). HDV-RNA decreased by >2log or became undetectable in 45%(10/22), 55%(11/20), 65% (13/20) and 69% (9/13); and ALT levels normalised in 64% (14/22), 85% (17/20), 90% (18/20) and in 92% (12/13) patients at weeks 24, 36, 48 and 60, respectively. Portal pressure decreased in 40% (2/5) of patients undergoing repeated measurement under BLV therapy. CONCLUSION Long-term BLV monotherapy is safe and effectively decreases HDV-RNA and ALT-even in patients with cirrhosis. The optimal duration of BLV treatment alone or in combination with PEG-IFN remains to be established. An algorithm for a response-guided BLV treatment approach is proposed.
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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
| | | | | | - Teresa Binter
- 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
| | - Stephan W Aberle
- Center of Clinical Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Hartl
- 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
| | | | - Elmar Aigner
- SALK und Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Albert F Stättermayer
- 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
| | - Petra Munda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ivo Graziadei
- Department of Medicine, Landeskrankenhaus Hall, Austria
| | | | - Michael Trauner
- 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
| | - Heinz Zoller
- Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Mattias Mandorfer
- 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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29
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Yurdaydin C, Keskin O, Yurdcu E, Çalişkan A, Önem S, Karakaya F, Kalkan Ç, Karatayli E, Karatayli S, Choong I, Apelian D, Koh C, Heller T, Idilman R, Bozdayi AM, Glenn JS. A phase 2 dose-finding study of lonafarnib and ritonavir with or without interferon alpha for chronic delta hepatitis. Hepatology 2022; 75:1551-1565. [PMID: 34860418 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Proof-of-concept studies demonstrated lonafarnib (LNF), a first-in-class oral prenylation inhibitor, efficacy in patients infected with HDV. The lonafarnib with ritonavir for HDV-2 (LOWR-2) study's aim was to identify optimal combination regimens of LNF + ritonavir (RTV) ± pegylated interferon alpha (PEG-IFNα) with efficacy and tolerability for longer-term dosing. Here we report the safety and efficacy at end of treatment for up to 24 weeks. APPROACH AND RESULTS Fifty-five patients with chronic HDV were consecutively enrolled in an open-label, single-center, phase 2 dose-finding study. There were three main treatment groups: high-dose LNF (LNF ≥ 75 mg by mouth [po] twice daily [bid] + RTV) (n = 19, 12 weeks); all-oral low-dose LNF (LNF 25 or 50 mg po bid + RTV) (n = 24, 24 weeks), and combination low-dose LNF with PEG-IFNα (LNF 25 or 50 mg po bid + RTV + PEG-IFNα) (n = 12, 24 weeks). The primary endpoint, ≥2 log10 decline or < lower limit of quantification of HDV-RNA from baseline at end of treatment, was reached in 46% (6 of 13) and 89% (8 of 9) of patients receiving the all-oral regimen of LNF 50 mg bid + RTV, and combination regimens of LNF (25 or 50 mg bid) + RTV + PEG-IFNα, respectively. In addition, multiple patients experienced well-tolerated transient posttreatment alanine aminotransferase increases, resulting in HDV-RNA negativity and alanine aminotransferase normalization. The proportions of grade 2 and 3 gastrointestinal adverse events in the high-dose versus low-dose groups were 49% (37 of 76) and only 22% (18 of 81), respectively. CONCLUSIONS LNF, boosted with low-dose RTV, is a promising all-oral therapy, and maximal efficacy is achieved with PEG-IFNα addition. The identified optimal regimens support a phase 3 study of LNF for the treatment of HDV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cihan Yurdaydin
- Department of GastroenterologyUniversity of Ankara Medical SchoolAnkaraTurkey
- Hepatology InstituteUniversity of AnkaraAnkaraTurkey
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyKoç University Medical SchoolIstanbulTurkey
| | - Onur Keskin
- Department of GastroenterologyUniversity of Ankara Medical SchoolAnkaraTurkey
| | - Esra Yurdcu
- Hepatology InstituteUniversity of AnkaraAnkaraTurkey
| | - Aysun Çalişkan
- Department of GastroenterologyUniversity of Ankara Medical SchoolAnkaraTurkey
| | - Soner Önem
- Department of GastroenterologyUniversity of Ankara Medical SchoolAnkaraTurkey
| | - Fatih Karakaya
- Department of GastroenterologyUniversity of Ankara Medical SchoolAnkaraTurkey
| | - Çağdaş Kalkan
- Department of GastroenterologyUniversity of Ankara Medical SchoolAnkaraTurkey
| | - Ersin Karatayli
- Hepatology InstituteUniversity of AnkaraAnkaraTurkey
- Department of Medicine IISaarland University Medical CenterSaarland UniversityHomburgGermany
| | - Senem Karatayli
- Hepatology InstituteUniversity of AnkaraAnkaraTurkey
- Department of Medicine IISaarland University Medical CenterSaarland UniversityHomburgGermany
| | - Ingrid Choong
- Eiger BioPharmaceuticals, Inc.Palo AltoCaliforniaUSA
| | - David Apelian
- Eiger BioPharmaceuticals, Inc.Palo AltoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Christopher Koh
- Translational Hepatology SectionLiver Diseases BranchNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Theo Heller
- Translational Hepatology SectionLiver Diseases BranchNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Ramazan Idilman
- Department of GastroenterologyUniversity of Ankara Medical SchoolAnkaraTurkey
| | | | - Jeffrey S Glenn
- Departments of Medicine (Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology) and Microbiology & ImmunologyStanford School of MedicineStanfordCaliforniaUSA
- Palo Alto Veterans AdministrationPalo AltoCaliforniaUSA
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30
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[Delta hepatitis: Epidemiology, diagnostic, natural history and treatment]. Rev Med Interne 2021; 43:160-169. [PMID: 34799189 DOI: 10.1016/j.revmed.2021.10.329] [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: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus is a small enveloped RNA virus, which replicates independently but requires the hepatitis B virus (HBV) to provide the envelope proteins necessary for the assembly of its own viral particles. Approximately 5% of chronic hepatitis B virus carriers are infected with HDV. HBV vaccination remains the best preventive treatment for HDV. All HBV patients should be screened for HDV (anti-HDV serology). In case of positive HDV serology, HDV replication (HDV RNA) should be investigated using a sensitive and specific technique. Hepatitis Delta is often complicated by cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). For this reason, every patient with Delta cirrhosis should be screened for HCC by abdominal ultrasound every 6 months. The historical treatment was based on PEG-IFN with many side effects. A new treatment has been approved, Bulevirtide (Hepcludex®) an HDV/HBV entry inhibitor, for any patient with chronic hepatitis Delta infection (CHD) with active replication (except in decompensated cirrhosis), at a dose of 2mg/day by subcutaneous injection. The exact duration on-treatment is unknown, thus treatment should be continued if clinical benefit is observed.
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31
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Ramos-Rincon JM, Pinargote H, Ramos-Belinchón C, de Mendoza C, Aguilera A, Soriano V. Hepatitis delta in patients hospitalized in Spain (1997-2018). AIDS 2021; 35:2311-2318. [PMID: 34261094 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis delta is the most aggressive form of chronic viral hepatitis. We examined the clinical burden, epidemiological features and time trends for hepatitis delta patients hospitalized in Spain during the last two decades. METHODS Retrospective, observational study using the Spanish National Registry of Hospital Discharges. Information was retrieved since 1997 to 2018. RESULTS From a total of 79 647 783 nationwide hospital admissions recorded during the study period, 5179 included hepatitis delta as diagnosis. The overall hospitalization rate because of hepatitis delta was 6.5/105, without significant yearly changes. In-hospital death occurred in 335 (6.6%) patients. Acute hepatitis and cirrhosis were recorded in 46.5 and 33.5% of hepatitis delta hospitalizations, respectively. Acute hepatitis delta predominated until 2007 (55.9%) whereas cirrhosis increased since then (39.4%). Hepatic decompensation events and liver cancer accounted on average for 16 and 8% of hospitalizations, increasing significantly over time. Coinfection with HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) were recognized in 24 and 31.2% of hepatitis delta patients, respectively. All hepatitis C, HIV and injection drug use declined significantly since 2008. CONCLUSION The rate of hepatitis delta in patients hospitalized in Spain is low and has remained stable over two decades. However, hepatitis delta-related decompensation events and liver cancer are on the rise. The association of hepatitis delta with injection drug use, HIV and HCV has declined among recently hospitalized hepatitis delta patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- José-Manuel Ramos-Rincon
- Internal Medicine Department, General University Hospital of Alicante & Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, Alicante
| | - Héctor Pinargote
- Internal Medicine Department, General University Hospital of Alicante & Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, Alicante
| | | | - Carmen de Mendoza
- Laboratory of Internal Medicine, Puerta de Hierro Research Institute & University Hospital, Majadahonda, Madrid
| | - Antonio Aguilera
- Microbiology Department, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario Santiago (CHUS) & University of Santiago, Santiago de Compostela
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32
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Sandmann L, Wedemeyer H. New Treatments for Chronic Hepatitis B Virus/Hepatitis D Virus Infection. Clin Liver Dis 2021; 25:831-839. [PMID: 34593156 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2021.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection is the most severe form of viral hepatitis with high rates of end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, effective antiviral treatment strategies are needed desperately. Until recently, antiviral treatment was limited to pegylated interferon-alpha. With the conditional approval of the entry inhibitor bulevirtide by the European Medicines Agency, new treatment options are now available. In addition, multiple other antiviral compounds are currently tested in clinical phase II and III trials and represent promising agents for the treatment of chronic HDV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Sandmann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, Hannover 30625, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Side Hannover/Braunschweig.
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33
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Can Interferon therapy change natural course of Hepatitis Delta infection, A clinical and pathological study. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 66:e0158621. [PMID: 34694876 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01586-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Chronic delta hepatitis (CDH) has a worser outcome than other viral hepatitis. High dose, long-term Interferon-α (IFNα) is the approved treatment and may ameliorate course. We evaluated long-term histological outcomes of CDH patients treated with IFNα. Method: Histologically proved non-cirrhotic CDH patients treated with high dose IFNα for at least 1 year were grouped as cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic at the end of treatment. Non-cirrhotic patients had also post-treatment liver biopsies. Patients were grouped as histologically responsive and non-responsive regarding fibrosis status. Histological, virological and biochemical courses were analyzed. Results: 48 patients were treated with IFNα (conventional and/or pegylated) for median 24 months with a post-treatment follow-up of 5 years. During the follow-up, cirrhosis developed in 24 patients, 5 of whom were decompensated. There was no difference between pre- and post-treatment fibrosis scores of 24 non-cirrhotic patients at the end of follow-up. Among patients; 13% (n:6) had decreased, 21%(n:10) had steady and 16% (n:8) had increased fibrosis scores. Persistent viral response (PVR) was achieved in 16 patients (33%). 20% of entire group was histologically responsive (decreasing or steady fibrosis scores with improved necro-inflammatory score) while near 80% had histological progression/cirrhosis. PVR was significantly associated with histological response. Conclusions: Long-term natural course of patients who were treated with high dose IFNα for at least one year was evaluated clinically and histologically. Despite the association of PVR with histological response, IFNα treatment didn't change the natural course of CDH, clinical and histological progression continued in two-thirds of the cases despite treatment.
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34
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Lee AU, Lee C. Hepatitis D Review: Challenges for the Resource-Poor Setting. Viruses 2021; 13:v13101912. [PMID: 34696341 PMCID: PMC8538672 DOI: 10.3390/v13101912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis D is the smallest virus known to infect humans, the most aggressive, causing the most severe disease. It is considered a satellite or defective virus requiring the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) for its replication with approximately 10–70 million persons infected. Elimination of hepatitis D is, therefore, closely tied to hepatitis B elimination. There is a paucity of quality data in many resource-poor areas. Despite its aggressive natural history, treatment options for hepatitis D to date have been limited and, in many places, inaccessible. For decades, Pegylated interferon alpha (Peg IFN α) offered limited response rates (20%) where available. Developments in understanding viral replication pathways has meant that, for the first time in over three decades, specific therapy has been licensed for use in Europe. Bulevirtide (Hepcludex®) is an entry inhibitor approved for use in patients with confirmed viraemia and compensated disease. It can be combined with Peg IFN α and/or nucleos(t)ide analogue for hepatitis B. Early reports suggest response rates of over 50% with good tolerability profile. Additional agents showing promise include the prenylation inhibitor lonafarnib, inhibitors of viral release (nucleic acid polymers) and better tolerated Peg IFN lambda (λ). These agents remain out of reach for most resource limited areas where access to new therapies are delayed by decades. strategies to facilitate access to care for the most vulnerable should be actively sought by all stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice U. Lee
- Concord Repatriation General Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2139, Australia
- Hepatitis B Free, Sydney, NSW 2139, Australia
- Correspondence:
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35
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Palom A, Sopena S, Riveiro-Barciela M, Carvalho-Gomes A, Madejón A, Rodriguez-Tajes S, Roade L, García-Eliz M, García-Samaniego J, Lens S, Berenguer-Hayme M, Rodríguez-Frías F, Hernandez-Évole H, Isabel Gil-García A, Barreira A, Esteban R, Buti M. One-quarter of chronic hepatitis D patients reach HDV-RNA decline or undetectability during the natural course of the disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2021; 54:462-469. [PMID: 34181772 DOI: 10.1111/apt.16485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spontaneous HDV-RNA fluctuations, assessed by nonstandardised in-house assays, have been reported during the course of chronic hepatitis delta (CHD). AIMS To evaluate changes in serum HDV-RNA concentrations in untreated CHD patients and correlate these changes with other HBV markers. METHODS A total of 323 consecutive serum samples from 56 CHD patients (detectable HDV-RNA) followed for >3 years were retested for HDV-RNA levels by a sensitive technique using the first WHO international HDV-RNA standard. Quantitative HBsAg, HBV-DNA, and HBV-RNA were also determined. RESULTS Most participants were male, middle-aged, white European, and HBeAg-negative (82%). Almost half had liver cirrhosis and 64% were receiving nucleos(t)ide analogues. At inclusion, median-HDV-RNA was 5.3 (4.2-6.5) log10 IU/mL, HBsAg 4.0 (3.5-4.3) log10 IU/mL, and HBV-DNA 1.6 (1.0-2.6) log10 IU/mL; ALT values were normal in 13 (23%). During a mean follow-up of 5.6 (3-16) years, 14 (25%) showed ≥2log10 HDV-RNA decline, including 11 (20%) who spontaneously achieved undetectable HDV-RNA. Four patients (7%) lost HBsAg, with undetectable HDV-RNA. The remaining 42 (75%) had persistently detectable HDV-RNA. During follow-up, patients with a ≥2log10 HDV-RNA decline showed a greater HBsAg drop (-0.7 ± 1.1 vs -0.09 ± 0.9 log IU/mL; P = 0.039) than those with a <2 log10 HDV-RNA decline. Overall, ALT and HBV-DNA levels decreased over time. There were no differences in clinical outcomes between groups. CONCLUSIONS One-quarter of untreated CHD patients showed a ≥2log10 decline in HDV-RNA and 20% reached HDV-RNA undetectability during a mean follow-up of 5.6 years. The decline was associated with ALT decrease. These findings have implications for designing new therapies for CHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Palom
- Liver Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sara Sopena
- Biochemistry and Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mar Riveiro-Barciela
- Liver Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Angela Carvalho-Gomes
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Liver Transplantation and Hepatology Unit, Hospital U. y P. La Fe, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Antonio Madejón
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Universitario La Paz, IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sergio Rodriguez-Tajes
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luisa Roade
- Liver Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - María García-Eliz
- Liver Transplantation and Hepatology Unit, Hospital U. y P. La Fe, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Javier García-Samaniego
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Universitario La Paz, IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sabela Lens
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marina Berenguer-Hayme
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Liver Transplantation and Hepatology Unit, Hospital U. y P. La Fe, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Francisco Rodríguez-Frías
- Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Biochemistry and Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Helena Hernandez-Évole
- Liver Transplantation and Hepatology Unit, Hospital U. y P. La Fe, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ana Isabel Gil-García
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Universitario La Paz, IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Barreira
- Liver Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Esteban
- Liver Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Buti
- Liver Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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36
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Kamal H, Weiland O, Aleman S. REPLY. Hepatology 2021; 74:1127-1128. [PMID: 32767793 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Habiba Kamal
- Department of Infectious DiseasesKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden.,Department of Medicine HuddingeKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Ola Weiland
- Department of Infectious DiseasesKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden.,Department of Medicine HuddingeKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Soo Aleman
- Department of Infectious DiseasesKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden.,Department of Medicine HuddingeKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
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37
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Keskin O, Yurdaydin C. Letter to the Editor: Interferon Is Not an Optimal Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis Delta but Needs "Fair Treatment" by Us. Hepatology 2021; 74:1127. [PMID: 32767786 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Onur Keskin
- Faculty of MedicineDepartment of GastroenterologyHacettepe UniversityAnkaraTurkey
| | - Cihan Yurdaydin
- School of MedicineDepartment of GastroenterologyKoc UniversityIstanbulTurkey
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38
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Scheller L, Hilgard G, Anastasiou O, Dittmer U, Kahraman A, Wedemeyer H, Deterding K. Poor clinical and virological outcome of nucleos(t)ide analogue monotherapy in HBV/HDV co-infected patients. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e26571. [PMID: 34260535 PMCID: PMC8284709 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000026571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Co-infection of Hepatitis B (HBV) and Delta viruses (HDV) represent the most severe form of viral hepatitis. While treatment with pegylated Interferon alpha (PEG-IFNα) is well established, therapy with nucleoside or nucleotide analogues (NA) has been a matter of debate. We aimed to investigate the role of NA treatment in a well-defined single centre cohort.In a retrospective approach, we observed 53 HDV RNA positive and/or anti-HDV-positive patients recruited at a German referral centre between 2000 and 2019. Patients were followed for at least 3 months (mean time of follow up: 4.6 years; range: 0.2-14.1 years). Patients who had liver transplantation or hepatocellular carcinoma at the time of presentation were excluded. 43% (n = 23) were treated with NA, 43% (n = 23) received IFNα-based therapies and 13% (n = 7) were untreated.Liver cirrhosis was already present in 53% (28/53) of patients at first presentation. During follow-up, liver-related endpoints developed in 44% of all patients (n = 23). NA-treatment was associated with a significantly worse clinical outcome (P = .01; odds ratio [OR] = 4.92; CI = 1.51-16.01) compared to both, untreated (P = .38; OR = 0.46; CI = 0.80-2.61) and IFNα-based-treated patients (P = .04; OR = 0.29; CI = 0.89-0.94) in univariate logistic regression analysis. HBsAg levels declined by more than 50% during NA-based therapy in only 7 cases (7/23; mean time: 3.6 years; range: 0.8-8.5 years) and during IFNα-based therapy in 14 cases (14/23; mean time: 2.8 years, range 0.7-8.5 years). HDV RNA became undetectable during follow up in 30% of patients receiving NA alone (7/23; mean time: 5.0 years; range: 0.6-13.5 years), in 35% of patients receiving IFNα-based therapy (8/23; mean time: 2.9 years, range: 0.3-7.6 years).The effect of NA in patients with HBV/HDV co-infection is limited. Treatment with NA was associated with a higher likelihood of clinical disease progression. Interferon alpha therapy was beneficial in reducing liver complications and improves long-term outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Scheller
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Essen, Germany
| | - Gudrun Hilgard
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Essen, Germany
| | | | - Ulf Dittmer
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Essen, Germany
| | - Alisan Kahraman
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Essen, Germany
- Department of Gastroenterology, Max Grundig Clinic, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Essen, Germany
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Germany
| | - Katja Deterding
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Essen, Germany
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Germany
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39
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Cornberg M, Sandmann L, Protzer U, Niederau C, Tacke F, Berg T, Glebe D, Jilg W, Wedemeyer H, Wirth S, Höner Zu Siederdissen C, Lynen-Jansen P, van Leeuwen P, Petersen J. S3-Leitlinie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Gastroenterologie, Verdauungs- und Stoffwechselkrankheiten (DGVS) zur Prophylaxe, Diagnostik und Therapie der Hepatitis-B-Virusinfektion – (AWMF-Register-Nr. 021-11). ZEITSCHRIFT FUR GASTROENTEROLOGIE 2021; 59:691-776. [PMID: 34255317 DOI: 10.1055/a-1498-2512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Markus Cornberg
- Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Klinik für Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie und Endokrinologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover; Centre for individualised infection Medicine (CiiM), Hannover.,Klinik für Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie und Endokrinologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover
| | - Lisa Sandmann
- Klinik für Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie und Endokrinologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institut für Virologie, Technische Universität München/Helmholtz Zentrum München, München
| | | | - Frank Tacke
- Medizinische Klinik m. S. Hepatologie und Gastroenterologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin
| | - Thomas Berg
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Gastroenterologie und Rheumatologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig
| | - Dieter Glebe
- Institut für Medizinische Virologie, Nationales Referenzzentrum für Hepatitis-B-Viren und Hepatitis-D-Viren, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Gießen
| | - Wolfgang Jilg
- Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Hygiene, Universität Regensberg, Regensburg
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Klinik für Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie und Endokrinologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover
| | - Stefan Wirth
- Zentrum für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Helios Universitätsklinikum Wuppertal, Wuppertal
| | | | - Petra Lynen-Jansen
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gastroenterologie, Verdauungs- und Stoffwechselkrankheiten (DGVS), Berlin
| | - Pia van Leeuwen
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gastroenterologie, Verdauungs- und Stoffwechselkrankheiten (DGVS), Berlin
| | - Jörg Petersen
- IFI Institut für Interdisziplinäre Medizin an der Asklepios Klinik St. Georg, Hamburg
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40
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Asselah T, Loureiro D, Le Gal F, Narguet S, Brichler S, Bouton V, Abazid M, Boyer N, Giuly N, Gerber A, Tout I, Maylin S, Bed CM, Marcellin P, Castelnau C, Gordien E, Mansouri A. Early virological response in six patients with hepatitis D virus infection and compensated cirrhosis treated with Bulevirtide in real-life. Liver Int 2021; 41:1509-1517. [PMID: 33999515 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection is the most severe form of viral hepatitis. Bulevirtide (BLV, Hepcludex® ) is an HDV/HBV entry inhibitor approved in June 2020 in the European Union for adult patients with chronic hepatitis delta (CHD) and compensated liver disease and positive HDV RNA viral load. This real-life preliminary report described early virological efficacy and safety of BLV in six patients with CHD and compensated liver disease: four patients were treated with the combination of BLV (2 mg/d in subcutaneous injection) and pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and two patients with BLV monotherapy. Four patients treated with combined therapy had a decline of a minimum of 1 log10 and 3/3 of 2 log10 of HDV-VL at 12 and 24 weeks, respectively. One patient among four had stopped the treatment at 12 weeks because of thrombocytopenia and an HDV-VL relapse was notified 24 weeks after treatment cessation. Three patients among four (3/4) had undetectable HDV-VL during the therapy (<100 IU/ml). One patient (1/2) treated with BLV monotherapy had a decline of HDV-VL by 1 log10 at 8 weeks and 1/1 by 2 log10 at 28 week on-treatment. Two patients among four (2/4) with combined therapy had normal ALT reached at 4 and 56 weeks. One patient (1/2) with BLV monotherapy achieves ALT normalization at 4 weeks on treatment. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels remain unchanged. Three among six (3/6) patients had an elevation of total biliary acids without pruritus. These early data generated confirm the interest in this new treatment. Final results will be important to demonstrate long-term clinical benefit (fibrosis reversibility and reduction in hepato-cellular carcinoma [HCC]).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarik Asselah
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Université́ de Paris, Inserm U1149, CNRS ERL8252, Paris, France.,Department of Hepatology, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
| | - Dimitri Loureiro
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Université́ de Paris, Inserm U1149, CNRS ERL8252, Paris, France.,Department of Hepatology, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
| | - Fréderic Le Gal
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie Clinique, Centre National de référence des Hépatites B, C et Delta, Université de Paris 13, Inserm U955, AP-HP, Hôpital Avicenne, Bobigny, France
| | - Stéphanie Narguet
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Université́ de Paris, Inserm U1149, CNRS ERL8252, Paris, France.,Department of Hepatology, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
| | - Ségolène Brichler
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie Clinique, Centre National de référence des Hépatites B, C et Delta, Université de Paris 13, Inserm U955, AP-HP, Hôpital Avicenne, Bobigny, France
| | - Valérie Bouton
- Service de Pharmacie, Université́ de Paris, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
| | - Malek Abazid
- Service de Pharmacie, Université́ de Paris, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
| | - Nathalie Boyer
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Université́ de Paris, Inserm U1149, CNRS ERL8252, Paris, France.,Department of Hepatology, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
| | - Nathalie Giuly
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Université́ de Paris, Inserm U1149, CNRS ERL8252, Paris, France.,Department of Hepatology, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
| | - Athenais Gerber
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie Clinique, Centre National de référence des Hépatites B, C et Delta, Université de Paris 13, Inserm U955, AP-HP, Hôpital Avicenne, Bobigny, France
| | - Issam Tout
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Université́ de Paris, Inserm U1149, CNRS ERL8252, Paris, France.,Department of Hepatology, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
| | - Sarah Maylin
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie, Université de Paris, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Cheikh M Bed
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Université́ de Paris, Inserm U1149, CNRS ERL8252, Paris, France.,Department of Hepatology, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
| | - Patrick Marcellin
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Université́ de Paris, Inserm U1149, CNRS ERL8252, Paris, France.,Department of Hepatology, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
| | - Corinne Castelnau
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Université́ de Paris, Inserm U1149, CNRS ERL8252, Paris, France.,Department of Hepatology, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
| | - Emmanuel Gordien
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie Clinique, Centre National de référence des Hépatites B, C et Delta, Université de Paris 13, Inserm U955, AP-HP, Hôpital Avicenne, Bobigny, France
| | - Abdellah Mansouri
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Université́ de Paris, Inserm U1149, CNRS ERL8252, Paris, France.,Department of Hepatology, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
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41
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Hercun J, Kim GE, Da BL, Rotman Y, Kleiner DE, Chang R, Glenn JS, Hoofnagle JH, Koh C, Heller T. Durable virological response and functional cure of chronic hepatitis D after long-term peginterferon therapy. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2021; 54:176-182. [PMID: 34048594 PMCID: PMC9969742 DOI: 10.1111/apt.16408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection is the most aggressive form of chronic viral hepatitis. Response rates to therapy with 1- to 2-year courses of pegylated interferon alpha (peginterferon) treatment are suboptimal. AIMS To evaluate the long-term outcomes of patients with chronic hepatitis D after an extended course of peginterferon. METHODS Patients were followed after completion of trial NCT00023322 and classified based on virological response defined as loss of detectable serum HDV RNA at last follow-up. During extended follow-up, survival and liver-related events were recorded. RESULTS All 12 patients who received more than 6 months of peginterferon in the original study were included in this analysis. The cohort was mostly white (83%) and male (92%) and ranged in age from 18 to 58 years (mean = 42.6). Most patients had advanced but compensated liver disease at baseline, a median HBV DNA level of 536 IU per mL and median HDV RNA level of 6.86 log10 genome equivalents per mL. The treatment duration averaged 6.1 years (range 0.8-14.3) with a total follow-up of 8.8 years (range 1.7-17.6). At last follow-up, seven (58%) patients had durable undetectable HDV RNA in serum, and four (33%) cleared HBsAg. Overall, one of seven (14%) responders died or had a liver-related event vs four of five (80%) non-responders. CONCLUSIONS With further follow-up, an extended course of peginterferon therapy was found to result in sustained clearance of HDV RNA and favourable clinical outcomes in more than half of patients and loss of HBsAg in a third.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Hercun
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Grace E. Kim
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ben L. Da
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yaron Rotman
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - David E. Kleiner
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Richard Chang
- Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jeffrey S. Glenn
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jay H. Hoofnagle
- Liver Disease Research Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Christopher Koh
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Theo Heller
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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42
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Niro GA, Ferro A, Cicerchia F, Brascugli I, Durazzo M. Hepatitis delta virus: From infection to new therapeutic strategies. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:3530-3542. [PMID: 34239267 PMCID: PMC8240063 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i24.3530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a small RNA virus that encodes a single protein and which requires the hepatitis B virus (HBV)-encoded hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) for its assembly and transmission. HBV/HDV co-infections exist worldwide and show a higher prevalence among selected groups of HBV-infected populations, specifically intravenous drug users, practitioners of high-risk sexual behaviours, and patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The chronic form of HDV-related hepatitis is usually severe and rapidly progressive. Patterns of the viral infection itself, including the status of co-infection or super-infection, virus genotypes (both for HBV and HDV), and persistence of the virus’ replication, influence the outcome of the accompanying and manifested liver disease. Unfortunately, disease severity is burdened by the lack of an effective cure for either virus type. For decades, the main treatment option has been interferon, administered as mono-therapy or in combination with nucleos(t)ide analogues. While its efficacy has been reported for different doses, durations and courses, only a minority of patients achieve a sustained response, which is the foundation of eventual improvement in related liver fibrosis. The need for an efficient therapeutic alternative remains. Research efforts towards this end have led to new treatment options that target specific steps in the HDV life cycle; the most promising among these are myrcludex B, which inhibits virus entry into hepatocytes, lonafarnib, which inhibits farnesylation of the viral-encoded L-HDAg large hepatitis D antigen, and REP-2139, which interferes with HBsAg release and assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grazia A Niro
- Department of Gastroenterology, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Hospital Foundation, San Giovanni Rotondo 71013, Italy
| | - Arianna Ferro
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin 10126, Italy
| | | | | | - Marilena Durazzo
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin 10126, Italy
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43
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Lee WC, Chen TK, Han HF, Lin YC, Hwang YM, Kao JH, Chen PJ, Liu CJ. Investigating the prevalence and clinical effects of hepatitis delta viral infection in Taiwan. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY, IMMUNOLOGY, AND INFECTION = WEI MIAN YU GAN RAN ZA ZHI 2021; 54:901-908. [PMID: 34162528 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2021.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To clarify and investigate the prevalence and clinical impact of hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection in Taiwan's communities. METHODS HDV infection in patients with chronic hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection was examined using an anti-HDV antibody in Yonghe Cardinal Tien Hospital (YCTH), a district hospital in Taiwan. Clinical characteristics of anti-HDV-positive and anti-HDV-negative patients were collected and compared. These characteristics were also compared with the data collected from a medical center. Continuous variables and confounding factor adjustments were compared using the analysis of covariance method, whereas categorical variables were compared using the logistic regression method. RESULTS A total of 346 patients with chronic HBV infection were assessed from 2018 to 2019. Among them, 4 (1.15%) were positive for anti-HDV. The clinical, virological, and biochemical characteristics were similar between anti-HDV-positive and anti-HDV-negative groups. None of the four patients was positive for serum HDV RNA. Another 18 anti-HDV-positive patients were identified from National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH). The clinical, virological, and biochemical characteristics of anti-HDV-positive patients from YCTH and NTUH were also similar. CONCLUSION The prevalence of HDV and the serum HDV RNA-positive rate were low in district hospitals in Taiwan. Coexisting HDV infection did not influence the clinical manifestation of patients with chronic HBV infection in Taiwan. However, because the number of HDV RNA cases was very small, our findings may not be conclusive. Besides, since the sensitivity of current anti-HDV kit is not 100%, more sensitive methods are needed to achieve reliable prevalence data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Cheng Lee
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonghe Cardinal Tien Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzen-Kwan Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonghe Cardinal Tien Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hwa-Fa Han
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonghe Cardinal Tien Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chun Lin
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonghe Cardinal Tien Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Min Hwang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonghe Cardinal Tien Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Horng Kao
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine and Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Jer Chen
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine and Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Jen Liu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine and Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
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44
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Loureiro D, Castelnau C, Tout I, Boyer N, Narguet S, Menasria Benazzouz S, Louis Z, Pons-Kerjean N, Giuly N, Marcellin P, Mansouri A, Asselah T. New therapies for hepatitis delta virus infection. Liver Int 2021; 41 Suppl 1:30-37. [PMID: 34155804 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection is a defective virus requiring hepatitis B virus (HBV) for its complete replication cycle. HDV is a small hepatotropic RNA virus and around 15 to 25 million people worldwide are living with chronic hepatitis delta (CHD) infection. However, the prevalence of HDV may be underestimated, and screening is frequently insufficient. HDV infection remains endemic in several regions including Central and West Africa, the Mediterranean basin, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Northern Asia, certain areas of Southeast Asia and the Amazon basin of South America. The best preventive strategy to decrease HDV infection is to improve coverage of the prophylactic HBV vaccine. HDV infection may occur by HBV-HDV co-infection or superinfection, and the latter is usually more severe. CHD is associated with a higher risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to HBV mono-infection. Pegylated interferon alpha (PEG-IFNα) therapy is limited by moderate effectiveness (around 20%) and its adverse effects. The entry inhibitor, bulevirtide (BLV, Hepcludex® ), which was recently approved in Europe at a dose of 2 mg in sub-cutaneous injection per day, is indicated for the treatment of CHD in adult patients with compensated liver disease and positive HDV viremia. BLV can be administrated in monotherapy or in combination with PEG-IFNα. Nucleos(t)ide analogues can be used in combination for underlying HBV infection. The optimal treatment duration has not yet been determined and treatment should be continued if a clinical benefit is observed. There are other promising therapies such as IFN lambda (IFNλ) (immunomodulator), lonafarnib (prenylation inhibitor) and nucleic acid polymers (Inhibitors of HBsAg release). In this review, we will present an update on CHD and future promising treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitri Loureiro
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Université de Paris, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France.,Department of Hepatology, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
| | - Corinne Castelnau
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Université de Paris, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France.,Department of Hepatology, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
| | - Issam Tout
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Université de Paris, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France.,Department of Hepatology, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
| | - Nathalie Boyer
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Université de Paris, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France.,Department of Hepatology, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
| | - Stéphanie Narguet
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Université de Paris, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France.,Department of Hepatology, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
| | - Sabrina Menasria Benazzouz
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Université de Paris, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France.,Department of Hepatology, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
| | - Zeina Louis
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Université de Paris, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France.,Service de Pharmacie, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
| | - Nathalie Pons-Kerjean
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Université de Paris, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France.,Service de Pharmacie, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
| | - Nathalie Giuly
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Université de Paris, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France.,Department of Hepatology, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
| | - Patrick Marcellin
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Université de Paris, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France.,Department of Hepatology, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
| | - Abdellah Mansouri
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Université de Paris, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France.,Department of Hepatology, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
| | - Tarik Asselah
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Université de Paris, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France.,Department of Hepatology, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
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45
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Sandmann L, Cornberg M. Experimental Drugs for the Treatment of Hepatitis D. J Exp Pharmacol 2021; 13:461-468. [PMID: 33889032 PMCID: PMC8057838 DOI: 10.2147/jep.s235550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis D virus infection is the most severe form of viral hepatitis. Antiviral treatment is urgently needed to prevent patients from developing end stage liver disease or hepatocellular carcinoma. Treatment options were limited to off-label use of pegylated interferon alfa until conditional approval of bulevirtide by the EMA (European Medicines Agency) in July 2020. However, several other antiviral compounds are currently investigated and represent promising agents for the treatment of chronic HDV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Sandmann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (CiiM), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
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46
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Gençdal G, Yurdaydin C. Developing New Therapies for Delta Hepatitis: The Race Is On. Hepatol Commun 2021; 5:556-558. [PMID: 33860114 PMCID: PMC8034575 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Genco Gençdal
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyKoç University Medical SchoolIstanbulTurkey
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47
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Zhang Z, Urban S. New insights into HDV persistence: The role of interferon response and implications for upcoming novel therapies. J Hepatol 2021; 74:686-699. [PMID: 33276031 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.11.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis D (CHD), a global health problem, manifests as the most severe form of viral hepatitis. The causative agent, HDV, is the smallest known human virus; it replicates its circular single-stranded RNA genome in the nucleus of hepatocytes. HDV requires HBV-encoded envelope proteins for dissemination and de novo cell entry. However, HDV can also spread through cell division. Following entry into hepatocytes, replicative intermediates of HDV RNA are sensed by the pattern recognition receptor MDA5 (melanoma differentiation antigen 5) resulting in interferon (IFN)-β/λ induction. This IFN response strongly suppresses cell division-mediated spread of HDV genomes, however, it only marginally affects HDV RNA replication in already infected, resting hepatocytes. Monotherapy with IFN-α/λ shows efficacy but rarely results in HDV clearance. Recent molecular insights into key determinants of HDV persistence and the accelerated development of specifically acting antivirals that interfere with the replication cycle have revealed promising new therapeutic perspectives. In this review, we briefly summarise our knowledge on replication/persistence of HDV, the newly discovered HDV-like agents, and the interplay of HDV with the IFN response and its consequences for persistence. Finally, we discuss the possible role of IFNs in combination with upcoming therapies aimed at HDV cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenfeng Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 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.
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48
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Sagnelli C, Sagnelli E, Russo A, Pisaturo M, Occhiello L, Coppola N. HBV/HDV Co-Infection: Epidemiological and Clinical Changes, Recent Knowledge and Future Challenges. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11020169. [PMID: 33671730 PMCID: PMC7926847 DOI: 10.3390/life11020169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Several investigations have been published on Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) infection in recent years, from which we have drawn the salient data to provide readers with useful information to improve their knowledge on the subject. HDV genotypes 5–8 have been recently imported to Western countries from central Africa, whose clinical relevance deserves further investigation. Ongoing HDV replication has been identified as an independent predictor of progression to cirrhosis and HCC for patients with HDV chronic hepatitis (HDV-CH). Long-term treatments of HDV-CH with standard or pegylated interferon alfa (peg-IFN-α) have all been unsatisfactory, leading to a sustained virological response (SVR) only in 20–30% of patients treated, faced with a poor tolerability and frequent serious adverse reactions; the addition of HBV nucleo(s)tide analogues to peg-IFN- α did not improve the rate of SVR. The improved knowledge of the HDV life cycle has allowed the development of direct acting agents towards key-points of the HDV life cycle, namely bulevirtide, lonafarnib and nucleic acid polymers. Preliminary data have shown that these drugs are more effective than interferon-based therapies, but adverse reactions are also common, which however seem toned down in combination therapy with other antivirals.
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49
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Yurdaydin C, Toy M. Hepatitis Delta Virus Infection: A Large Burden After All? J Infect Dis 2021; 221:1573-1575. [PMID: 31778169 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cihan Yurdaydin
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Koç University Medical School, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mehlika Toy
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
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50
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Wranke A, Hardtke S, Heidrich B, Dalekos G, Yalçin K, Tabak F, Gürel S, Çakaloğlu Y, Akarca US, Lammert F, Häussinger D, Müller T, Wöbse M, Manns MP, Idilman R, Cornberg M, Wedemeyer H, Yurdaydin C. Ten-year follow-up of a randomized controlled clinical trial in chronic hepatitis delta. J Viral Hepat 2020; 27:1359-1368. [PMID: 32707605 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection causes the most severe form of viral hepatitis. PEG-interferon alpha-2a (PEG-IFNα-2a) is the only effective treatment but its long-term clinical impact is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term outcome after 48 weeks of pegylated interferon alpha-2a therapy. We performed a retrospective follow-up study of the Hep-Net-International-Delta-Hepatitis-Intervention-Study 1 (HIDIT-I trial). Patients had received 48 weeks of treatment with either PEG-IFNα-2a plus adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) (Group I), PEG-IFNα-2a alone (Group II) or adefovir dipivoxil alone (Group III). Liver-related complications were defined as liver-related death, liver transplantation, liver cancer and hepatic decompensation defined as development of Child-Pugh scores B or C or an increase in Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores of five or more points in relation to baseline values. Patients were considered for further analysis when they were retreated with PEG-IFNα-2a. Follow-up data (at least 1 visit beyond post-treatment week 24) were available for 60 patients [Group I, (n = 19), Group II (n = 20), Group III (n = 21)]. Mean time of follow-up was 8.9 (1.6 - 13.4) years. 19 patients were retreated with IFN-based therapy: 42% (n = 8) in PEG-IFNα-2a arms and 58% (n = 11) in the adefovir only arm. Clinical complications on long-term follow-up occurred in 17 patients and were associated with nonresponse to therapy and baseline cirrhosis. The annual event-free survival rate in patients with cirrhosis vs noncirrhotic patients at year 5 and 10 was 70% vs 91% and 35% vs 76%. Long-term follow-up of a large randomized clinical trial suggests that off-treatment HDV RNA response to PEG-IFNα-2a treatment leads to improved clinical long-term outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anika Wranke
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Svenja Hardtke
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site HepNet Study-House, Hannover, Germany
| | - Benjamin Heidrich
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site HepNet Study-House, Hannover, Germany
| | - George Dalekos
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
| | - Kendal Yalçin
- Dicle University Medical Faculty, Diyarbakir, Turkey
| | - Fehmi Tabak
- Department of Infectious Diseases Cerrahpaşa School of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Selim Gürel
- Uludağ University Medical School, Bursa, Turkey
| | | | | | - Frank Lammert
- Department of Medicine II, Saarland University Medical Center, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Dieter Häussinger
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Michael Wöbse
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael P Manns
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site HepNet Study-House, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ramazan Idilman
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site HepNet Study-House, Hannover, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site HepNet Study-House, Hannover, Germany.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Essen University Hospital, Medical Faculty of the University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Cihan Yurdaydin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Koç University Medical School, Istanbul, Turkey
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