Interferon-Free Regimens and Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents for Delta Hepatitis: Are We There Yet?

Autor: Roxana Nemteanu, Andreea Clim, Corina Elena Hincu, Liliana Gheorghe, Irina Ciortescu, Alina Plesa
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2023
Předmět:
Zdroj: Current Issues in Molecular Biology, Vol 45, Iss 10, Pp 7878-7890 (2023)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1467-3045
1467-3037
DOI: 10.3390/cimb45100498
Popis: Chronic delta hepatitis is a global health problem. Although a smaller percentage of chronic HBV-infected patients are coinfected with the hepatitis delta virus, these patients have a higher risk of an accelerated progression to fulminant “delta hepatitis”, cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation, and hepatocellular carcinoma, putting a financial strain on the healthcare system and increasing the need for a liver transplant. Since its discovery, tremendous efforts have been directed toward understanding the intricate pathogenic mechanisms, discovering the complex viral replication process, the essential replicative intermediates, and cell division-mediated viral spread, which enables virion viability. The consideration of the interaction between HBV and HDV is crucial in the process of developing novel pharmaceuticals. Until just recently, interferon-based therapy was the only treatment available worldwide. This review aims to present the recent advancements in understanding the life cycle of HDV, which have consequently facilitated the development of innovative drug classes. Additionally, we will examine the antiviral strategies currently in phases II and III of development, including bulevirtide (an entry inhibitor), lonafarnib (a prenylation inhibitor), and REP 2139 (an HBsAg release inhibitor).
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals