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Hepatitis D virus: Improving virological knowledge to develop new treatments.
Pierre Khalfi1, Patrick T Kennedy2, Karim Majzoub1
1Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS-UMR 5535, Montpellier 34293 cedex 5, France.
Antiviral Research
|November 17, 2022
Summary
Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) co-infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is severe. This review covers HDV lifecycle, current treatments like bulevirtide, and emerging antivirals in clinical trials for managing this infection.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology and Virology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is the smallest known RNA virus, requiring hepatitis B virus (HBV) for its lifecycle.
- HDV/HBV co-infection represents the most severe form of viral hepatitis, increasing risks for cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the fundamental knowledge of the HDV lifecycle.
- To summarize antiviral treatments currently in development for HDV infection.
- To discuss the clinical trial outcomes, potential benefits, and challenges of these emerging therapies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of HDV lifecycle and antiviral drug development.
- Analysis of clinical trial data for agents targeting HDV.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on HDV pathogenesis and treatment strategies.
Main Results:
- HDV replication is largely host-dependent, while its assembly and spread rely on HBV surface proteins.
- Bulevirtide, an entry inhibitor, is approved for chronic hepatitis delta (CHD).
- Several novel antivirals, including lonafarnib and interferon lambda, are in clinical development with diverse mechanisms of action.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the HDV lifecycle is crucial for developing targeted therapies.
- Emerging antivirals show promise in clinical trials for managing HDV infection.
- Careful consideration of efficacy and safety is needed for successful clinical application of new HDV treatments.
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