Abstract
The nucleic acid polymer REP 2139 inhibits assembly/secretion of hepatitis B virus (HBV) subviral particles. Previously, REP 2139-Ca and pegylated interferon (pegIFN) in HBV/hepatitis delta virus (HDV) coinfection achieved high rates of HDV RNA and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss/seroconversion in the REP 301 study (NCT02233075). The REP 301-LTF study (NCT02876419) examined safety and efficacy during 3.5 years of follow-up. In the current study, participants completing therapy in the REP 301 study were followed for 3.5 years. Primary outcomes were safety and tolerability, and secondary outcomes were HDV functional cure (HDV RNA target not detected [TND], normal alanine aminotransferase [ALT]), HBV virologic control (HBV DNA ≤2,000 IU/mL, normal ALT), HBV functional cure (HBV DNA TND; HBsAg <0.05 IU/mL, normal ALT), and HBsAg seroconversion. Supplemental analysis included high-sensitivity HBsAg (Abbott ARCHITECT HBsAg NEXT), HBV pregenomic RNA (pgRNA), HBsAg/hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) immune complexes (HBsAg ICs), and hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg). Asymptomatic grade 1-2 ALT elevations occurred in 2 participants accompanying viral rebound; no other safety or tolerability issues were observed. During therapy and follow-up, HBsAg reductions to <0.05 IU/mL were also <0.005 IU/mL. HBsAg ICs declined in 7 of 11 participants during REP 2139-Ca monotherapy and in 10 of 11 participants during follow-up. HDV functional cure persisted in 7 of 11 participants; HBV virologic control persisted in 3 and functional cure (with HBsAg seroconversion) persisted in 4 of these participants. Functional cure of HBV was accompanied by HBV pgRNA TND and HBcrAg