Chronic Hepatitis D Virus Infection and Its Treatment: A Narrative Review

Abstract

More than 12 million individuals worldwide are chronically infected with the hepatitis D virus (HDV). HDV infection is the most severe form of viral hepatitis since it requires hepatitis B virus co-infection and accelerates progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, treatment modalities to slow the progression of the disease are essential but not yet available. In addition, no antiviral treatment to date has been shown to reliably eradicate HDV. Pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) is the only universally used treatment to suppress HDV RNA replication and improve liver inflammation and fibrosis. This treatment can be completed in 12–18 months, but cure rates remain low, and success does not reliably increase with the addition of a nucleos(t)ide analog. PEG-IFN therapy is also limited by poor tolerability and multiple adverse effects, including neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Newer antiviral therapies in development target unique aspects of HDV viral replication and show promising results in combination with PEG-IFN for long-term HDV RNA suppression. These newer antiviral therapies include buleviritide (which blocks HDV entry), lonafarnib (which prevents HDV assembly), and REP-2139 (which prevents HDV export). In this manuscript, we discuss the characteristics of HDV infection and review the new antiviral therapies approved for treatment and those under investigation.