Treatment of chronic hepatitis due to Hepatitis B with Delta virus coinfection

Therapy of chronic hepatitis Delta virus infection remains an unmet need. An estimate 20-40 million individuals are infected worldwide, mostly with rapidly evolving liver disease. To date, only IFN-based therapy is recommended for hepatitis Delta; response rates are unsatisfactory and, in addition, many patients are intolerant or ineligible to IFN. In recent years innovative approachs have been in development, which targets virus entry into hepatocytes; inhibition of the host enzyme farnesyltransferase, which leads to inhibition of complete virion formation and release; blockade of HBsAg secretion, which inhibits virus release; IFN Lamda, which causes fewer adverse effects than IFN alfa. Clinical trials are ongoing with encouraging preliminary results.