Lamivudine therapy in chronic delta hepatitis: a multicentre randomized-controlled pilot study

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Virology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Chronic Hepatitis D Virus (HDV) infection presents significant treatment challenges.
• HDV-related liver disease requires effective therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the efficacy of lamivudine in treating chronic Hepatitis D Virus infection.
• Evaluate lamivudine's impact on HDV RNA levels, liver enzymes, histology, and serological markers.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving 31 patients with chronic HDV infection.
• Patients received either lamivudine (100 mg daily) or placebo for 52 weeks, followed by open-label lamivudine treatment.

Main Results:

• No patient achieved HDV RNA negativity at 52 weeks; only 11% were negative at 104 weeks.
• Lamivudine did not significantly impact HDV viraemia, even when suppressing Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) replication.
• Partial histological improvement was observed in 17% of lamivudine-treated patients versus 43% in the placebo group.

Conclusions:

• Lamivudine therapy resulted in a sustained complete response in only 8% of HDV-infected patients.
• Partial histological response was achieved in 26% of patients.
• Hepatitis D Virus viraemia was not significantly affected by lamivudine treatment.