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Current Hepatology Reports
Published in: Current Hepatology Reports 4/2019

01-12-2019 | Hepatitis B | Hepatitis B (J Lim, Section Editor)

Update in Drug Development for Chronic HBV/HDV Infection

Authors: Dulce Alfaiate, Francesco Negro

Published in: Current Hepatology Reports | Issue 4/2019

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Chronic hepatitis D is the most severe form of viral hepatitis. Currently, no drug has been approved for its treatment and pegylated interferon alpha remains the only recommended therapy, with dismal efficiency and important side effects. This review summarizes the recent advances in drug development for chronic hepatitis D.

Recent Findings

A better knowledge of virology of hepatitis D virus has led to the development of several drugs targeting different steps of the viral life cycle. Among them, bulevirtide (a viral entry inhibitor, formerly denominated as Myrcludex B), lonafarnib (a viral assembly inhibitor), REP-2139-Ca (an inhibitor of HBsAg secretion), and pegylated interferon lambda have shown promising results in phase II clinical trials.

Summary

In the near future, new therapeutic options will be available for the treatment of chronic hepatitis D. However, no drug is currently under development targeting viral replication and an effective treatment strategy may require combination of several drugs.
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Metadata
Title
Update in Drug Development for Chronic HBV/HDV Infection
Authors
Dulce Alfaiate
Francesco Negro
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Hepatology Reports / Issue 4/2019
Electronic ISSN: 2195-9595
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11901-019-00503-y

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