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Zahoor MA, Feld JB, Lin HHS, Mosa AI, Salimzadeh L, Perrillo RP, Chung RT, Schwarz KB, Janssen HLA, Gehring AJ, Feld JJ. Neutralizing antibodies to interferon alfa arising during peginterferon therapy of chronic hepatitis B in children and adults: Results from the HBRN Trials. Hepatology 2024:01515467-990000000-00849. [PMID: 38630448 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Pegylated interferon-α (PegIFNα) is of limited utility during immunotolerant or immune active phases of chronic hepatitis B infection but is being explored as part of new cure regimens. Low/absent levels of IFNα found in some patients receiving treatment are associated with limited/no virological responses. The study aimed to determine if sera from participants inhibit IFNα activity and/or contain therapy-induced anti-IFNα antibodies. APPROACH RESULTS Pre-treatment, on-treatment, and post-treatment sera from 61 immunotolerant trial participants on PegIFNα/entecavir therapy and 88 immune active trial participants on PegIFNα/tenofovir therapy were screened for anti-IFNα antibodies by indirect ELISA. The neutralization capacity of antibodies was measured by preincubation of sera±recombinant human IFNα added to Huh7 cells with the measurement of interferon-stimulated gene (ISG)-induction by qPCR. Correlations between serum-induced ISG inhibition, presence, and titer of anti-IFNα antibodies and virological responses were evaluated. Preincubation of on-treatment serum from 26 immunotolerant (43%) and 13 immune active (15%) participants with recombinant-human IFNα markedly blunted ISG-induction in Huh7 cells. The degree of ISG inhibition correlated with IFNα antibody titer ( p < 0.0001; r = 0.87). On-treatment development of anti-IFNα neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) was associated with reduced quantitative HBsAg and qHBeAg declines ( p < 0.05) and inhibited IFNα bioactivity to 240 weeks after PegIFNα cessation. Children developed anti-IFNα nAbs more frequently than adults ( p = 0.004) but nAbs in children had less impact on virological responses. CONCLUSIONS The development of anti-IFNα nAbs during PegIFNα treatment diminishes responses to antiviral therapy. Understanding how and why anti-IFNα antibodies develop may allow for the optimization of IFN-based therapy, which is critical given its renewed use in HBV-cure strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Atif Zahoor
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Toronto Center for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joshua B Feld
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Toronto Center for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hsing-Hua Sylvia Lin
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alexander I Mosa
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Toronto Center for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Loghman Salimzadeh
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Toronto Center for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robert P Perrillo
- Department of Medicine, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Raymond T Chung
- Masschusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kathleen B Schwarz
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Harry L A Janssen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Toronto Center for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Hospital Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Adam J Gehring
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Toronto Center for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jordan J Feld
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Toronto Center for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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He T, Zhang D. Non-linear association of baseline viral load with on-treatment hepatocellular carcinoma risk in chronic hepatitis B: still needs further discussion. Gut 2024:gutjnl-2023-331443. [PMID: 38253480 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2023-331443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Taiyu He
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dazhi Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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3
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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: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [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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4
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Su F, Jacobson IM. Chronic Hepatitis B: Treat all Who Are Viremic? Clin Liver Dis 2023; 27:791-808. [PMID: 37778770 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2023.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
The main aim of antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is to prevent disease progression and reduce the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In general, treatment is recommended for select patient groups viewed as being at higher risk of developing adverse outcomes from CHB. However, patients who do not meet treatment criteria under current international guidelines may still benefit from antiviral therapy to reduce CHB-related complications. Moreover, well-tolerated antiviral drugs that are highly effective at suppressing viral replication are now widely available, and withholding therapy from patients with viremia is increasingly controversial. In this article, we review traditional treatment paradigms and argue the merits of expanding treatment eligibility to patients with CHB who do not meet current treatment criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Su
- Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 150 East 32nd Street, Suite 101, New York, NY 10016, USA; New York University Langone Transplant Institute, 317 East 34th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Ira M Jacobson
- Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 150 East 32nd Street, Suite 101, New York, NY 10016, USA
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5
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Li J, Fan P, Xu Z, Dong Y, Wang F, Hong W, Zhao J, Gao Y, Yan J, Cao L, Zhang C, Zhu S, Wang FS, Zhang M. Functional Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B with Antiviral Treatment in Children having High-level Viremia and Normal or Mildly Elevated Serum Aminotransferase. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2023; 11:1011-1022. [PMID: 37577220 PMCID: PMC10412703 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2023.00014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims There is a lack of data supporting the notion that antiviral treatments can benefit children with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) having high viremia and normal or mildly elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. We aimed to analyze the efficacy of antiviral treatments in children with CHB and explore the factors associated with functional cure. Methods Forty-eight children with CHB having high viremia and normal or mildly elevated serum ALT levels were screened in this real-world study. Thirty-two children received either interferon-alpha (IFN-α) monotherapy, IFN-α therapy with a nucleoside analog (NA) add-on, or IFN-α and NA combination therapy. The 16 children in the control group did not receive antiviral treatment. All 48 children were available for follow-up assessments for the entire 36-month study period. We identified a functional cure with respect to hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA loss, loss /seroconversion of circulating hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), and loss of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) with or without seroconversion. Cox regression analysis was employed to evaluate the factors that may have influenced the functional cure. Results After 36 months, the cumulative functional cure rate was 56.25% (18/32) in the treated group and 0% (0/16) in the control group (p<0.001). In the treated group, the serum HBV DNA levels declined rapidly at the end of a 6-month visit and the cured children achieved a loss rate of 100% (18/18) within 16 months of beginning treatment, compared with 64.29% (9/14) of the uncured children (p<0.001). The rates of HBeAg seroconversion were significantly higher among the cured children than among the uncured children (p<0.001). All 16 children in the control group maintained high levels of serum HBV DNA and were positive for both serum HBeAg and HBsAg during the entire 36 months of the study period. Functional cure was associated with younger ages (1-6 vs. 7-14 years, p=0.013), CD8+ T lymphocyte counts (p=0.013), and B lymphocyte counts (p=0.003). No serious adverse events were observed. Conclusions Antiviral treatment achieved a functional cure of CHB in a high proportion of children having high-level viremia and normal or mildly elevated ALT levels. Younger age and high peripheral lymphocyte counts were associated with this functional cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Peking University 302 Clinical Medical School, Beijing, China
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Peiyao Fan
- Peking University 302 Clinical Medical School, Beijing, China
- Senior Department of Liver Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiqiang Xu
- Senior Department of Liver Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Dong
- Senior Department of Liver Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Fuchuan Wang
- Senior Department of Liver Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Weiguo Hong
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Jinfang Zhao
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Yinjie Gao
- Senior Department of Liver Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jianguo Yan
- Senior Department of Liver Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lili Cao
- Senior Department of Liver Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Shishu Zhu
- Senior Department of Liver Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Fu-Sheng Wang
- Peking University 302 Clinical Medical School, Beijing, China
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Senior Department of Liver Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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6
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Kleiner DE, Lisker-Melman M, Wahed AS, Bhan AK, Nalesnik MA, Choi EYK, Leonard KK, Ghany MG, Chung RT, Di Bisceglie AM. Immunostaining for hepatitis B viral antigens in liver: Association with clinical, biochemical, and virologic features of disease. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 38:989-998. [PMID: 36890337 PMCID: PMC10744323 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.16167] [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: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Staining for hepatitis B viral antigens is often done in liver biopsies from patients with chronic hepatitis B, but its correlates with clinical phenotypes are not well described. METHODS Biopsies were collected from a large cohort of adults and children with chronic hepatitis B viral infection through the Hepatitis B Research Network. Immunohistochemical staining of sections was done for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) and then centrally read by the pathology committee. The degree of liver injury and pattern of staining were then correlated with clinical characteristics, including the clinical phenotype of hepatitis B. RESULTS Biopsies from 467 subjects were studied, including 46 from children. Immunostaining for HBsAg was positive in 417 (90%) with scattered hepatocyte staining being the most common pattern. HBsAg staining correlated best with serum levels of HBsAg and hepatitis B viral DNA; the absence of HBsAg staining was often a prelude to loss of HBsAg from serum. HBcAg staining was positive in 225 (49%), and, while cytoplasmic staining was more frequent than nuclear staining, both nuclear and cytoplasmic positivity were often seen in the same specimen. Staining for HBcAg correlated with both level of viremia and liver injury. No biopsies from inactive carriers had stainable HBcAg, while 91% of the biopsies from those with hepatitis B e antigen-positive chronic hepatitis B stained positively for HBcAg. CONCLUSION Immunostaining for hepatitis B viral antigens may yield helpful insights into liver disease pathogenesis but appears to add little to commonly used serological and biochemical blood tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E Kleiner
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Abdus S Wahed
- Department of Statistics, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Atul K Bhan
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael A Nalesnik
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Health System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Eun-Young K Choi
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan - Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Kelsey K Leonard
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Marc G Ghany
- Liver Diseases Branch, NIDDK, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Raymond T Chung
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Adrian M Di Bisceglie
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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7
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Lim YS, Kim WR, Dieterich D, Kao JH, Flaherty JF, Yee LJ, Roberts LR, Razavi H, Kennedy PTF. Evidence for Benefits of Early Treatment Initiation for Chronic Hepatitis B. Viruses 2023; 15:v15040997. [PMID: 37112976 PMCID: PMC10142077 DOI: 10.3390/v15040997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is the most common cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. Antiviral treatment reduces the risk of HCC and mortality; nonetheless, globally in 2019, only 2.2% of CHB patients received treatment. Current international CHB guidelines recommend antiviral treatment only in subsets of patients with clear evidence of liver damage. This contrasts with hepatitis C or HIV where early treatment is recommended in all infected patients, regardless of end-organ damage. This narrative review aims to provide an overview of data on the early initiation of antiviral treatment and its related potential economic impact. Literature searches were performed using PubMed and abstracts from international liver congresses (2019-2021). Data on risk of disease progression and HCC and the impact of antiviral treatment in currently ineligible patients were summarized. Cost-effectiveness data on early antiviral treatment initiation were also collated. Accumulating molecular, clinical, and economic data suggest that early initiation of antiviral treatment could save many lives through HCC prevention in a highly cost-effective manner. In light of these data, we consider several alternative expanded treatment strategies that might further a simplified 'treatment as prevention' approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Suk Lim
- Department of Gastroenterology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - W Ray Kim
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94063, USA
| | - Douglas Dieterich
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Jia-Horng Kao
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Medical Research, Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | | | | | - Lewis R Roberts
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Homie Razavi
- Center for Disease Analysis Foundation, Lafayette, CO 80026, USA
| | - Patrick T F Kennedy
- Barts Liver Centre, Immunobiology, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
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Perrillo R, Lin HHS, Schwarz KB, Rosenthal P, Lisker-Melman M, Chung RT, Prokunina-Olsson L, Cloherty G, Feld J. Changes in serum hepatitis B surface and e antigen, interferon-inducible protein 10, and aminotransferase levels during combination therapy of immune-tolerant chronic hepatitis B. Hepatology 2022; 76:775-787. [PMID: 35188674 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Treatment of immune-tolerant (IT) children and adults with combined peginterferon alfa-2a and entecavir results in a decline in serum HBeAg and HBsAg concentrations but rarely results in loss of HBeAg or sustained off-treatment response. Factors associated with declines in these viral antigens during treatment remain unexplored. APPROACH AND RESULTS We investigated the pattern of virologic and biochemical response in 86 participants (59 children, 27 adults) by serial quantitative measurement of HBsAg (qHBsAg), quantitative HBeAg (qHBeAg), HBV RNA, interferon-inducible protein (IP-10), IL-18, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Each individual had previously been treated with 8 weeks of entecavir followed by 40 weeks of combined peginteferon and entecavir. We defined the interrelationships between these parameters and virologic response measured as nadir declines from baseline for HBeAg and HBsAg. The patterns of HBsAg and HBeAg decline were similar in pediatric and adult participants. Higher levels of IP-10 were observed during treatment in participants with greater ALT elevations and greater reductions of qHBsAg and qHBeAg. Individuals with peak ALT values exceeding three times the upper limit of normal were significantly more likely to have >1 log10 decline in both viral antigens. HBV DNA became undetectable in 21 of 86 (24%) and HBV RNA in 4 of 77 (5%) during therapy, but both markers remained negative only in those who became HBsAg negative, all of whom also had ALT elevations. CONCLUSIONS Induction of IP-10 during peginterferon treatment in adults and children in the IT phase of chronic HBV infection is associated with ALT elevations and decline in viral antigens, suggesting a degree of interferon-inducible viral control.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hsing-Hua S Lin
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jordan Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University of Toronto University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
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9
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Choi HS, Tonthat A, Janssen HL, Terrault NA. Aiming for Functional Cure With Established and Novel Therapies for Chronic Hepatitis B. Hepatol Commun 2022; 6:935-949. [PMID: 34894108 PMCID: PMC9035586 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains difficult to cure due to the persistent, self-replenishing nature of the viral genome and impaired host immune responses. Current treatment goals for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) are to prevent or significantly delay liver-related adverse outcomes and death, and two types of treatments are available: nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) and interferons (IFNs). NAs effectively suppress HBV replication, and IFNs improve serological response rates, thereby decreasing the risk of adverse outcomes. However, their efficacy in attaining serological responses, especially functional cure (i.e., loss of serum hepatitis B surface antigen), is very limited. Various strategies such as stopping antiviral therapy or combining therapies have been investigated to enhance response, but efficacy is only modestly improved. Importantly, the development of novel direct-acting antivirals and immunomodulators is underway to improve treatment efficacy and enhance rates of functional cure. The present review provides an overview of the treatment goals and indications, the possibility of expanding indications, and the safety and efficacy of different treatment strategies involving established and/or novel therapies as we continue our search for a cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah S.J. Choi
- Toronto Center for Liver DiseaseToronto General HospitalTorontoONCanada
| | - Alexander Tonthat
- Keck School of MedicineUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
| | | | - Norah A. Terrault
- Keck School of MedicineUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
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10
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Akbar SMF, Al Mahtab M, Cesar Aguilar J, Uddin MH, Khan MSI, Yoshida O, Penton E, Gerardo GN, Hiasa Y. Exploring evidence-based innovative therapy for the treatment of chronic HBV infection: experimental and clinical. EXPLORATION OF MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.37349/emed.2021.00058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
With the advent of various vaccines and antimicrobial agents during the 20th century, the control and containment of infectious diseases appeared to be a matter of time. However, studies unveiled the diverse natures of microbes, their lifestyle, and pathogenetic potentials. Since the ground-breaking discovery of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) by Baruch Blumberg and the subsequent development of a vaccine in the early 1980s, the main task of the scientific community has been to develop a proper management strategy for HBV-induced chronic liver diseases. In the early 1980’s, standard interferon (IFN) induced a reduction of HBV DNA levels, followed by the normalization of serum transaminases (alanine aminotransferase, ALT), in some chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. However, in the course of time, the limitations of standard IFN became evident, and the search for an alternative began. In the late 1980’s, nucleoside analogs entered the arena of CHB treatment as oral drugs with potent antiviral capacities. At the beginning of the 21st century, insights were developed into the scope and limitations of standard IFN, pegylated-IFN as well as nucleoside analogs for treating CHB. Considering the non-cytopathic nature of the HBV, the presence of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in the nucleus of the infected hepatocytes and HBV-induced immune-mediated liver damages, a new field of CHB management was initiated by modulating the hosts’ immune system through immune therapy. This review will discuss the nature and design of innovative immune therapy for CHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheikh Mohammad Fazle Akbar
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime 7910295, Japan
| | - Mamun Al Mahtab
- Department of Hepatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Julio Cesar Aguilar
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana, Havana 10600, Cuba
| | | | - Md. Sakirul Islam Khan
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime 7910295, Japan
| | - Osamu Yoshida
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime 7910295, Japan
| | - Eduardo Penton
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana, Havana 10600, Cuba
| | | | - Yoichi Hiasa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime 7910295, Japan
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11
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Wang L, Wu L, Li X, Zhang Y, Lai J, Zhu X, Xie C, Peng L. Tenofovir alafenamide fumarate therapy in subjects with positive HBV-DNA and normal levels of alanine transaminase: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e048410. [PMID: 34408049 PMCID: PMC8375735 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-048410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The current clinical guidelines do not recommend antiviral therapy for subjects with positive hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA and normal alanine transaminase (ALT). In this study, we will assess the safety and efficacy of tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) in the treatment of adults with positive HBV-DNA and normal ALT, including long-term prognosis. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This study is a non-double-blind randomised controlled trial. Study participants will be randomised into the treatment group and the control group. In the treatment group, subjects will receive TAF monotherapy, while those in the control group will receive no antiviral treatment. Subjects will be followed up at the beginning of the study and every 12 or 24 weeks thereafter for review of laboratory findings and to record adverse events. The primary endpoint is the proportion of patients with serum hepatitis B surface antigen loss. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University for Human Study (reference number [2019]02-599-01). The results of this study will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04231565.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Wang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lina Wu
- Department of Infectious Disease, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xuejun Li
- Department of Infectious Disease, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Lai
- Department of Infectious Disease, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiang Zhu
- Department of Infectious Disease, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chan Xie
- Department of Infectious Disease, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Liang Peng
- Department of Infectious Disease, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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12
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Maravelia P, Frelin L, Ni Y, Caro Pérez N, Ahlén G, Jagya N, Verch G, Verhoye L, Pater L, Johansson M, Pasetto A, Meuleman P, Urban S, Sällberg M. Blocking Entry of Hepatitis B and D Viruses to Hepatocytes as a Novel Immunotherapy for Treating Chronic Infections. J Infect Dis 2021; 223:128-138. [PMID: 31994701 PMCID: PMC7781452 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chronic hepatitis B and D virus (HBV/HDV) infections can cause cancer. Current HBV therapy using nucleoside analogues (NAs) is life-long and reduces but does not eliminate the risk of cancer. A hallmark of chronic hepatitis B is a dysfunctional HBV-specific T-cell response. We therefore designed an immunotherapy driven by naive healthy T cells specific for the HDV antigen (HDAg) to bypass the need for HBV-specific T cells in order to prime PreS1-specific T cells and PreS1 antibodies blocking HBV entry. Methods Ten combinations of PreS1 and/or HDAg sequences were evaluated for induction of PreS1 antibodies and HBV- and HDV-specific T cells in vitro and in vivo. Neutralization of HBV by PreS1-specific murine and rabbit antibodies was evaluated in cell culture, and rabbit anti-PreS1 were tested for neutralization of HBV in mice repopulated with human hepatocytes. Results The best vaccine candidate induced T cells to PreS1 and HDAg, and PreS1 antibodies blocking HBV entry in vitro. Importantly, adoptive transfer of PreS1 antibodies prevented, or modulated, HBV infection after a subsequent challenge in humanized mice. Conclusions We here describe a novel immunotherapy for chronic HBV/HDV that targets viral entry to complement NAs and coming therapies inhibiting viral maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiota Maravelia
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars Frelin
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yi Ni
- Department of Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Noelia Caro Pérez
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gustaf Ahlén
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Neetu Jagya
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Georg Verch
- Department of Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lieven Verhoye
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Lena Pater
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Magnus Johansson
- Inflammatory Response and Infection Susceptibility Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Anna Pasetto
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Philip Meuleman
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Stephan Urban
- Department of Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matti Sällberg
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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13
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Lok AS, Perrillo R, Lalama CM, Fried MW, Belle SH, Ghany MG, Khalili M, Fontana RJ, Sterling RK, Terrault N, Feld JJ, Di Bisceglie AM, Lau DT, Hassan M, Janssen HL, Roberts LR, Lisker‐Melman M, Wong DK, Juan J, Yim C, Patel K, Lee WM, Murakami CS, Do S, Han SB, Tran TT, Cooper SL, Tsai N, Younoszai B, Muir A, Evon D, Darling JM, Carithers RC, Kowdley KV, Wang CC, Luketic VA, Jake Liang T, Hoofnagle JH, Doo E, Chang K, Park J, Wahed A, King WC, Kleiner D. Low Incidence of Adverse Outcomes in Adults With Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection in the Era of Antiviral Therapy. Hepatology 2021; 73:2124-2140. [PMID: 32936969 PMCID: PMC8546406 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Outcomes of persons with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the era of antiviral therapy (AVT) are not well characterized. We determined the incidence and factors associated with clinical outcomes in a multiethnic, North American cohort of adults with chronic HBV infection, who were not on AVT at enrollment. APPROACH AND RESULTS Adults with chronic HBV infection, not receiving AVT, and without a history of decompensation, HCC, or liver transplantation (LT), were prospectively followed. Participants with known human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus, or hepatitis D virus (HDV) coinfection were excluded. During follow-up, treatment could be initiated per standard of care. Clinical outcomes included: incident cirrhosis, decompensation, HCC, OLT, and HBV-related death. Among 1,418 participants analyzed, 51.5% were women, median age was 41.1 years, 75% were Asian, 10% White, 13% Black, 24% HBeAg(+), and 1.5% cirrhosis at baseline. During the study, 274 started treatment, 83 had an alanine aminotransferase flare, 118 of 330 initially HBeAg(+) became HBeAg(-), and 90 of 1,329 became HBsAg(-). After 6,641 person-years follow-up, 8 participants (4 of 21 with baseline cirrhosis) had 12 clinical outcomes (2 decompensation, 5 HCC, 2 OLT, and 3 HBV-related deaths) and 19 of 1,397 had incident cirrhosis. Twenty-one of 26 participants had first outcome before treatment, none had become HBsAg(-), whereas 5/9 HBeAg(+) had become HBeAg(-) at time of first outcome. Cumulative percentage of clinical outcomes was 16% at year 4 in participants with baseline cirrhosis and 2% (including incident cirrhosis) at year 7 in those without. CONCLUSIONS Incidence of adverse outcomes was low in this closely monitored, large cohort of North American adults with predominantly inactive, chronic HBV without cirrhosis. Our data highlight the benefits of HBsAg loss and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to prevent cirrhosis and other complications of chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S. Lok
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Robert Perrillo
- Hepatology Division, Baylor Scott and White Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | | | - Michael W. Fried
- UNC Liver Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Steven H. Belle
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | | | - Mandana Khalili
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Robert J. Fontana
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Richard K. Sterling
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Norah Terrault
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Keck Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Jordan J. Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Adrian M. Di Bisceglie
- Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Daryl T.Y. Lau
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Mohamed Hassan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, Minneapolois, MN
| | - Harry L.A. Janssen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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14
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Abstract
BACKGROUND First- and second- generation new treatments are being evaluated to provide a cure for hepatitis B. The life cycle of HBV includes several well- categorized steps that are targets for new treatments. A cure remains a major challenge even if it is measured by HBsAg seroclearance alone. The notion of a functional cure of hepatitis B has been accepted, while a partial functional cure has been more tentatively defined as a decline in HBsAg concentrations to lower levels after finite treatment. METHODS More profound suppression of hepatitis B replication through the addition of capsid inhibitors with nucleoside analogues could improve patient prognosis and a sustained treatment response. Several strategies are being evaluated to achieve a cure: (a) deepening inhibition of HBV replication or (b) a reduction in HBsAg presentation for HBsAg seroclearance. RESULTS Fortunately, there are signs of important progress in the treatment of hepatitis B including improved on- treatment reductions or seroclearance of HBsAg in phase 2 studies that was not achieved with chain terminators and inhibitors of initiation of DNA synthesis. Progress in immunomodulatory therapy has lagged behind that of antiviral therapy. CONCLUSIONS Increasing the multilayered impaired and dysfunctional immune response in hepatitis B is perhaps more likely and feasible after a reduction in host antigen burden. Other potential experimental strategies include CRISPR- Cas9 genome- editing nucleases to specifically target and cleave cccDNA or novel monoclonal antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey Dusheiko
- University College London School of Medicine, Kings College Hospital, London, UK
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15
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Attar BM. CON: All Patients With Immune-Tolerated Hepatitis B Virus Do Not Need to Be Treated. Clin Liver Dis (Hoboken) 2020; 15:25-30. [PMID: 32104574 PMCID: PMC7041959 DOI: 10.1002/cld.893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
http://aasldpubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/hub/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)2046-2484/video/15-1-reading-attar a video presentation of this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bashar M. Attar
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyCook County HealthChicagoIL
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16
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Understanding the Natural History of Hepatitis B Virus Infection and the New Definitions of Cure and the Endpoints of Clinical Trials. Clin Liver Dis 2019; 23:401-416. [PMID: 31266616 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2019.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the most common chronic viral infection worldwide and remains a significant global health problem. Chronic HBV infection can progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Outcome of chronic HBV infections depends on the host, virus, and environmental factors. Although effective prophylactic vaccines and antiviral therapies exist, curative treatment is not yet available. Intense research into a cure for HBV is ongoing and proposed definitions of cure and endpoints for clinical trials evaluating "curative" therapy are discussed.
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17
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Mandato C, Guercio Nuzio S, Vajro P. Hepatitis B virus and the paediatric liver: waiting for news on the horizon. Acta Paediatr 2019; 108:989-991. [PMID: 30868651 DOI: 10.1111/apa.14764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Mandato
- Department of Pediatrics Children's Hospital Santobono‐Pausilipon Naples Italy
| | - Salvatore Guercio Nuzio
- Pediatrics Section “Scuola Medica Salernitana” University of Salerno ‐ Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry Baronissi (Salerno) Italy
| | - Pietro Vajro
- Pediatrics Section “Scuola Medica Salernitana” University of Salerno ‐ Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry Baronissi (Salerno) Italy
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