Clinical Research Directory

Evaluation of Patients With Liver Disease

The proposed study aims to evaluate, investigate, and follow-up patients suffering from acute and chronic liver disease. The study will focus on understanding diseases affecting the liver. Patients participating in the study will first undergo a routine check-up as an outpatient. They will be asked to provide blood and urine samples for laboratory testing and will undergo an ultrasound of the liver. Ultrasound examinations use sound waves to determine the size and texture of the liver. After the initial visit subjects will be requested to follow-up once a year at the outpatient department for a similar check-up. Additional tests may be requested throughout the study to provide information for other research studies and individual consent will be requested. These tests may include liver biopsies, skin biopsies, and / or specialized blood, plasma, and lymphocyte examinations. Subjects that qualify for medications presently being studied may be offered the opportunity to benefit from experimental therapy.

Oral-Periodontal Evaluation and Assessment of Oral Fluid Biomarkers in Patients With Hepatitis B+D

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition associated with systemic diseases, highlighting the concept of periodontal medicine. This study aims to investigate the relationship between periodontal inflammation, oral lesions, and hepatitis B+D infection, with or without bulevirtide treatment. Oral-periodontal clinical parameters and targeted inflammatory biomarkers in saliva and gingival crevicular fluid will be evaluated in three groups: patients with hepatitis B+D receiving bulevirtide, patients with hepatitis B+D not receiving bulevirtide, and healthy controls.

Immunological and Virological Characterization of Patients With Chronic HBV-HDV Infection: Outcomes and Response to Bulevirtide Treatment

Pharmacological, single-center, non-profit observational study. The present study is part of a cooperation project between the SC Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico (Milan, Italy), the University of Milan, the University of Parma and Rome Tor Vergata, funded under the call for Research Projects of Significant National Interest - 2022 PNRR Call (Prot. P2022WEXP2). Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a defective RNA virus, which requires the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) to infect liver cells and propagate. To date, the mechanisms underlying the accelerated disease progression in the natural history of Delta hepatitis are poorly understood, as is the course of the HDV-specific immune response (CD4 and CD8 T cells). As in chronic HBV and HCV infections, the outcome of chronic HDV infection appears to be dictated primarily by the host immune response, which represents a key determinant for virus control or persistence. For HBV/HDV coinfection, the role of T cells has not been well defined, as suitable animal models are lacking and so far few HDV-specific T cell epitopes have been precisely mapped, mainly limited to HLA-B alleles. The study is divided into two substudies (cross-sectional and longitudinal). The primary objective of the cross-sectional study is to calculate the prevalence of HDV-specific T responses in patients with chronic HBV-HDV infection naïve to treatment with Bulevirtide. The primary objective of the longitudinal study is the change in the prevalence of HDV-specific T responses in patients with chronic HBV-HDV infection during treatment with Bulevirtide compared to baseline (pre-treatment).

A Clinical Trial of Hepalatide for Injection in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis D

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of L47 in the treatment of chronic hepatitis D. Patients with compensated CHD who satisfy the eligibility criteria are stratified by the presence or absence of liver cirrhosis and randomized into three groups at a 1:1:1 ratio. The subjects will receive continuous L47 (2.1 mg/d and 4.2 mg/d, s.c.) treatment for 48 weeks (groups A and B), or delayed treatment for 48 weeks (group C). Primary endpoint evaluation will be performed after the subjects complete the 48-week treatment.

Improvement of Portal Hypertension During Viral Suppression in Patients With Hepatitis Delta (IMPHROVE-D)

Portal hypertension (PH) is one of the key drivers of clinical deteoration in patients with liver cirrhosis. It has been demonstrated that antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection leads to a decrease of PH and is associated with an improved outcome. Recently, Bulevirtide was approved for the treatment of patients coinfected with hepatitis B (HBV) and chronic hepatitis delta (HDV) infection, which helps to achieve viral supression in these patients. This study investigates the potential effects of viral supression on PH in patients with chronic HBV/HDV infection and liver cirrhosis.

Community Screening and Management of Hepatitis B, C and Delta in the Mongolian Population Living in France

In Mongolia, mortality from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the highest in the world. Viral hepatitis is the main cause of HCC: the prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) estimated at 11% In Mongolia, hepatitis C (HCV) at 8.5%, and hepatitis Delta (HDV) at 40-60% in HBV-infected patients. Viral hepatitis are essentially asymptomatic and therefore require systematic screening for diagnosis. Once a diagnosis of chronic viral infection has been established, specific therapies are available to reduce the morbidity and mortality of these patients. A study carried out in California in the Mongolian community found an HBV prevalence of 9.7% and positive HDV serology in 41% of these patients. There is a large Mongolian community in France, estimated at between 5,000 and 6,000 patients. Although the majority of these patients are covered by French social security; however, access to care and screening for viral hepatitis often remain difficult and insufficient for migrant or vulnerable populations in France The aim of this study is to screen the Mongolian community in France for viral hepatitis, and then initiate a program of care and treatment.

DELTA DESCRIBE: the French Collaborative Project

Our global objective is to draw up a photograph of HDV patients over one year in metropolitan France and identify the barriers of screening and care. The investigator suspects a mismatch between HBV and HDV screening, the first step for specialized care pathway in metropolitan France.

Effectiveness and Safety of Bulevirtide (BLV) Therapy in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis Delta (CHD) in Italy (D-SHIELD)

Multicenter pharmacological observational prospective, no-profit, study. This study was designed to get a "real-life" snapshot across several Italian Hepatology centers. All HDV patients are followed up according to EASL 2017 guidelines. This allows uniformity on the indication for antiviral treatment and management of that antiviral therapy. No off-label medications are used. All data are retrievable from the patient's medical record. In addition, clinical and biochemical data from patients at month 0, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 12 of treatment, and otherwise within the study period, will be collected longitudinally. The primary objective of the study is to describe the virological response to BLV in all patients starting BLV therapy for CHD, defined as a \>2 Log decline in HDV-RNA or undetectable HDV-RNA (using the Robogene 2.0 quantitative kit, LLQ \<6 IU/ml) at month 12 of therapy. HDV patients who will start therapy with BLV 2 mg/day from May 2023, according to AIFA guidelines, will be consecutively enrolled.

Effectiveness and Clinical Outcomes of Long-term Bulevirtide Monotherapy in Patients With HDV-related Compensated Cirrhosis

Retrospective and prospective, pharmacological, multicentre, non-profit observational study. Consecutive patients with HDV-related compensated cirrhosis starting Bulevirtide 2 mg/day from September 2019 to December 2025 will be enrolled in the study. Aim of this study is to investigate virological and clinical effectiveness of Bulevirtide 2 mg/day in patients with HDV-related compensated cirrhosis in the real-life setting. Primary endpoint of the study is the rate of virological response, defined as at least 2 Log decline or undetectable HDV RNA compared to baseline, at week 96 of treatment.

HDV-Europe: Prevalence and Outcome of HDV in HIV/HBV Coinfection

The aim of this project is to set up a cross-sectional cohort study (France, Germany, The Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, United Kingdom and Portugal) to assess the implementation of EACS guidelines for HDV-testing among PLWH with positive HbsAg and thereby evaluate the prevalence of HDV infection among HIV/HBV-coinfected in 2023, as well as corresponding risk factors. In addition to the testing itself, this study will also set up a cohort and databasee for future HDV studies among PLWH, including clinical, virological und laboratory parameters. 1. Analyze the rate of HDV-testing and evaluate the prevalence of HDV-infection by testing. 1. Evaluation of former screening of HDV by assessing existing data at study sites. 2. Determination of the HDV prevalence in European PLWH and HBV coinfection. 2. Setting up a database of all PLWH with HBV/HDV coinfection 1. Analysis of transmission risk factors for HDV coinfection 2. Asses the rate of HDV positive patients with ongoing HDV replication. 3. Define the liver disease state by APRI score, fibroscan, ultrasound and routine laboratory test results.

Standardising Care for Hepatitis Delta in the Netherlands

Rationale: Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a defective RNA virus that requires presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) to complete virion assembly and secretion. HBV-HDV coinfection ("hepatitis delta") has been associated with severe liver injury that may result in rapid progression to cirrhosis and hepatic decompensation, as well as a higher risk of liver cancer when compared to patients with HBV mono-infection. Given the low incidence of hepatitis D, experience in caring for individuals with hepatitis delta is limited and management practices vary. Objective: Generate prospective follow-up data to increase our understanding of this rare disease. Study design: Prospective observational cohort study spanning 5 years, during which we will collect standard clinical data as well as blood samples and quality of life questionnaires. Study population: hepatitis delta patients aged ≥18 years Intervention (if applicable): not applicable Main study parameters/endpoints: Incidence of liver related events (liver cancer, (decompensation of) cirrhosis, liver transplantation) during follow-up and changes in markers of viral replication, inflammatory activity and liver stiffness over time. Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: The risks associated with participation can be considered negligible and the burden can be considered minimal. The only additional action that the participants must perform are the filling out of two annual quality of life questionnaires, which are considered non-invasive, and collection of 10 ml blood during regular blood sample collections

Registry-based Study in Patients With Hepatitis D Virus (HDV) Infection in China

This is a retrospective, prospective, noninterventive, multicenter registry study. Patients diagnosed with HDV infection (based on positive HDV RNA) were included in this study and were followed up for at least 5 years to evaluate their disease progression and clinical outcomes (including death, liver transplantation, hepatocellular carcinoma \[hcc\], liver decompensation, and cirrhosis) during the 5-year follow-up period. All patients were followed up at least once a year after they were included in the study. It was in 2016 HDV infection first reported in China. Since January 1, 2016, all patients diagnosed with HDV infection can be enrolled in this study and evidence confirming the diagnosis (including but not limited to HDV RNA test reports and medical records, etc.) must be delivered. The main test results (including serum HDV RNA, ALT, and tests to determine the presence of liver cirrhosis, decompensation of liver function, and liver cancer such as B-ultrasound and FibroScan) of these patients each year from diagnosis to enrollment should be collected and filled in the case report form (CRF). Follow-up data of patients with serum anti-HDV positive and HDV RNA negative can be recorded and followed up on this platform, with informed consent of the patients is required. Patients whose serum HBV RNA turn positive during the follow-up period will be included in the follow-up cohort of the study.