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Lampertico P, Degasperi E, Sandmann L, Wedemeyer H. Hepatitis D virus infection: Pathophysiology, epidemiology and treatment. Report from the first international delta cure meeting 2022. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100818. [PMID: 37593170 PMCID: PMC10428117 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic infection with hepatitis delta virus (HDV) affects between 12-20 million people worldwide and represents the most severe form of viral hepatitis, leading to accelerated liver disease progression, cirrhosis and its complications, such as end-stage-liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. From the discovery of HDV in 1977 by Prof. Mario Rizzetto, knowledge on the HDV life cycle and mechanisms of viral spread has expanded. However, little is still known about the natural history of the disease, host-viral interactions, and the role of the immune system in HDV persistence. Diagnosis of HDV is still challenging due to a lack of standardised assays, while accurate viral load quantification is needed to assess response and endpoints of antiviral treatment. Until recently, interferon has represented the only treatment option in patients with chronic hepatitis delta; however, it is associated with low efficacy and a high burden of side effects. The discovery of the entry inhibitor bulevirtide has represented a breakthrough in HDV treatment, by demonstrating high rates of viral suppression in phase II and III trials, results which have been confirmed in real-world settings and in patients with compensated advanced liver disease. In the meantime, other compounds (i.e. lonafarnib, new anti-hepatitis B virus drugs) are under development to provide alternative or combined strategies for HDV cure. The first international Delta Cure meeting was organised in Milan in October 2022 with the aim of sharing and disseminating the latest data; this review summarises key takeaway messages from state-of-the-art lectures and research data on HDV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Lampertico
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- CRC “A. M. and A. Migliavacca” Center for Liver Disease, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Degasperi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Lisa Sandmann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Excellence Cluster RESIST, Excellence Initiative Hannover Medical School, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Excellence Cluster RESIST, Excellence Initiative Hannover Medical School, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
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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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Soriano V, Moreno-Torres V, Treviño A, Corral O, de Mendoza C. Bulevirtide in the Treatment of Hepatitis Delta: Drug Discovery, Clinical Development and Place in Therapy. Drug Des Devel Ther 2023; 17:155-166. [PMID: 36712949 PMCID: PMC9875571 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s379964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been ten years since the identification of NTCP as the cell surface receptor for HBV and HDV entry into hepatocytes. The search for molecules interfering with the binding of NTCP and HBV/HDV led to design bulevirtide (BLV). This large polypeptide mimics a region of the pre-S1 HBsAg and blocks viral entry by inhibitory competition. BLV was initially tested in cell cultures, animal models and more recently in Phase I-III human trials (called 'MYRS'). As monotherapy or in combination with peginterferon, BLV is well tolerated and exhibits potent antiviral activity. Plasma viremia significantly declines and/or becomes undetectable in more than 75% of patients treated for >24 weeks. However, serum HBsAg concentrations remain unchanged. No selection of BLV resistance in HBV/HDV has been reported in vivo to date. BLV is administered subcutaneously once daily at doses between 2 and 10 mg. BLV received conditional approval in Europe in 2020 to treat chronic hepatitis delta. The advent of peginterferon lambda or new specific anti-HDV antivirals (lonafarnib, etc.) will open the door for combination therapies with BLV. Since there is no stable reservoir for HDV-RNA within infected hepatocytes, viral clearance might be achieved using antivirals for a minimum timeframe. This is what happens in hepatitis C combining several antivirals, curing nearly all patients treated for 3 months. Clearance of HDV-RNA genomes may occur despite HBV persistence as cccDNA or chromosome integrated HBV-DNA within hepatocytes. This is supported by cases of HDV elimination using BLV despite persistence of serum HBsAg. Another path for HDV cure will derive from achieving HBsAg clearance, the goal of new promising anti-HBV gene therapies (bepirovirsen, etc.). In summary, the advent of BLV has triggered a renovated interest for antiviral therapy in hepatitis delta. We envision combination therapies that will lead to HDV cure in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Soriano
- Health Sciences School & Medical Center, Universidad Internacional La Rioja (UNIR), Madrid, Spain,Correspondence: Vicente Soriano, UNIR Health Sciences School & Medical Center, Calle García Martín 21, Pozuelo de Alarcón 28224, Madrid, Spain, Tel +34 659687981, Email
| | - Victor Moreno-Torres
- Health Sciences School & Medical Center, Universidad Internacional La Rioja (UNIR), Madrid, Spain,Puerta de Hierro University Hospital & Research Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Treviño
- Health Sciences School & Medical Center, Universidad Internacional La Rioja (UNIR), Madrid, Spain
| | - Octavio Corral
- Health Sciences School & Medical Center, Universidad Internacional La Rioja (UNIR), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen de Mendoza
- Puerta de Hierro University Hospital & Research Institute, Madrid, Spain
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Dassetto C, Borentain P, Gérolami R, Colson P. Bulevirtide 2mg-based real-life treatment of hepatitis Delta with genotypes 1 and 5 viruses at more than 20 months of follow-up. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2022; 46:102035. [PMID: 36273757 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinre.2022.102035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Clara Dassetto
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Service d'Hépato-Gastro-Entérologie, Unité Hépatologie, 264 rue Saint-Pierre, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Patrick Borentain
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Service d'Hépato-Gastro-Entérologie, Unité Hépatologie, 264 rue Saint-Pierre, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - René Gérolami
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Service d'Hépato-Gastro-Entérologie, Unité Hépatologie, 264 rue Saint-Pierre, 13385 Marseille, France; IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Univ., Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Microbes Evolution Phylogeny and Infections (MEPHI), 27 boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Philippe Colson
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Univ., Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Microbes Evolution Phylogeny and Infections (MEPHI), 27 boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France; Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), 264 rue Saint-Pierre, 13385 Marseille, France.
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Hepatitis delta treatment with bulevirtide in real life: a case report. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2022; 59:106562. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2022.106562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Roade L, Riveiro-Barciela M, Esteban R, Buti M. Long-term efficacy and safety of nucleos(t)ides analogues in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Ther Adv Infect Dis 2021; 8:2049936120985954. [PMID: 33614029 PMCID: PMC7871062 DOI: 10.1177/2049936120985954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleos(t)ide analogues with high barrier to resistance are regarded as the principal therapeutic option for chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Treatment with entecavir (ETV), tenofovir disoproxil (TDF) and the later released tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) is highly effective at controlling hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and, in the vast majority of patients, is well tolerated. No significant differences in viral suppression have been described among the different regimens, although an earlier achievement in biochemical response has been suggested first under TDF and recently under TAF. High barrier to resistance NAs rarely achieve hepatitis B surface antigen sero-clearance, and therefore should be maintained life-long in most cases. This has increased concerns about treatment-related toxicity, especially in patients under TDF with additional risk factors for kidney and bone impairment. TAF has shown a better bone and kidney safety profile than TDF, although it is not yet available worldwide due to its higher cost. Emergence of adverse events should be monitored since treatment-switch to ETV/TAF seems to be effective and safe in HBV mono-infected subjects. Finally, although an effective antiviral treatment leads to a clear improvement in clinical outcome of CHB patients; the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not completely avoided with viral suppression. Whether tenofovir-based regimens provide any additional benefit over ETV in HCC prevention remains unclear and requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Roade
- Liver Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebrón, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain. Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mar Riveiro-Barciela
- Liver Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebrón, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain. Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Esteban
- Liver Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebrón, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain. Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Buti
- Liver Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebrón, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, 119-129, Spain. Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Brancaccio G, Vitale A, Signoriello G, Gaeta GB, Cillo U. Changing indications for liver transplant: slow decline of hepatitis viruses in Italy. Infect Dis (Lond) 2020; 52:557-562. [PMID: 32401092 DOI: 10.1080/23744235.2020.1763453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The indications to LT are changing rapidly in Europe and the U.S. mainly due to the extensive use of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA) against HCV. Italy was an endemic area for viral hepatitis.Methods: The study reviewed liver transplant registry of a leading Italian centre from the year 2014 (the year before the extensive use of DAA in Italy) to December 2018, with the scope of recording trends in indications. The indications were categorised as: HCV; HBV ± HDV; alcohol-dependent liver disease (ALD); NASH; mescellaneous. Transplants for decompensation or hepatocellular carcinoma were analysed separately. The data were analysed using standard statistical methods.Results: During the study period 463 LTs were accomplished. For the scope of the present study second transplants and transplant in patients <18 years were eliminated; in all, 397 patients were analysed. Overall, HCV infection was the main aetiological factor leading to transplant (139/397, 35%) followed by alcohol use (20.9%), HBV ± HDV (15.8%) and NASH (12.8%). In the decompensation group HCV decreased from 41.9% in 2014 to 14.3% in 2018 while alcohol increased (p < .001); in the HCC group, HCV decreased from 52.6% to 34% and alcohol and NASH increased; the number and proportion of HBV infections remained stable over time, with a 56% prevalence of HDV among decompensated patients.Conclusion: LT landscape is rapidly evolving; hepatitis virus infections still maintain a remarkable proportion among the indications for LT in an area that reached in the past high endemic levels for hepatitis C and B.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alessandro Vitale
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Signoriello
- Biostatistics, Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, Campania University L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni B Gaeta
- Infectious Diseases, Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, Campania University L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Umberto Cillo
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
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Brancaccio G, Gaeta GB. Letter: clinical outcomes of patients with hepatitis D infection in the liver transplant setting-authors' reply. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2020; 51:484. [PMID: 31990394 DOI: 10.1111/apt.15625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Brancaccio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni B Gaeta
- Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
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