Formation of the hepatitis delta virion relies on prenylation, a post-translational modification that can be inhibited using lonafarnib. In a phase IIA double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, 14 patients with chronic HDV infection received different concentrations of the inhibitor or placebo, and a dose-dependent reduction in virus levels was evident in treatment groups. Adverse events were mild to moderate.
References
Koh, C. et al. Oral prenylation inhibition with lonafarnib in chronic hepatitis D infection: a proof-of-concept randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2A trial. Lancet Infect. Dis. 10.1016/S1473-3099(15)00074-2
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Prenylation inhibition is effective for chronic HDV infection. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 12, 488 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2015.142
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2015.142