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Chronic Hepatitis B Finite Treatment: Similar and Different Concerns With New Drug Classes
Marion G Peters1, Man-Fung Yuen2, Norah Terrault3
1Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Abstract:
Chronic hepatitis B, a major cause of liver disease and cancer, affects >250 million people worldwide. Currently there is no cure, only suppressive therapies. Efforts to develop finite curative hepatitis B virus (HBV) therapies are underway, consisting of combinations of multiple novel agents with or without nucleos(t)ide reverse-transcriptase inhibitors. The HBV Forum convened a webinar in July 2021, along with subsequent working group discussions to address how and when to stop finite therapy for demonstration of sustained off-treatment efficacy and safety responses. Participants included leading experts in academia, clinical practice, pharmaceutical companies, patient representatives, and regulatory agencies. This Viewpoints article outlines areas of consensus within our multistakeholder group for stopping finite therapies in chronic hepatitis B investigational studies, including trial design, patient selection, outcomes, biomarkers, predefined stopping criteria, predefined retreatment criteria, duration of investigational therapies, and follow-up after stopping therapy. Future research of unmet needs are discussed.
Insights
Experts reached consensus on stopping finite curative therapies for chronic hepatitis B (HBV) infection. This guidance addresses trial design, patient selection, and criteria for stopping and restarting HBV treatment.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Clinical Trial Design
Background:
- Chronic hepatitis B (HBV) affects over 250 million globally, causing liver disease and cancer.
- Current treatments only suppress HBV, lacking a definitive cure.
- Novel finite curative therapies combining multiple agents are under development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish consensus on criteria for stopping finite HBV therapies in clinical studies.
- To guide the demonstration of sustained off-treatment efficacy and safety.
Main Methods:
- Convened a multistakeholder HBV Forum webinar and working group discussions.
- Included experts from academia, clinical practice, industry, patient advocacy, and regulatory agencies.
- Synthesized viewpoints on key aspects of finite therapy cessation.
Main Results:
- Outlined areas of consensus on trial design for finite HBV therapy studies.
- Defined patient selection, outcomes, and biomarker considerations.
- Established criteria for stopping therapy, retreatment, and follow-up duration.
Conclusions:
- Multistakeholder consensus provides a framework for evaluating finite curative HBV therapies.
- Addresses critical aspects for future clinical trial design and regulatory considerations.
- Highlights unmet needs and future research directions in HBV curative therapy development.
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