WHO officially classified Hepatitis D virus as carcinogenic

Source:  BS

Context: The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have officially classified Hepatitis D virus (HDV) as carcinogenic, placing it in Group 1 — known causes of liver cancer, alongside Hepatitis B and C.

About WHO officially classified Hepatitis D virus as carcinogenic:

• What is Hepatitis D Virus (HDV)?
  • Hepatitis D is a blood-borne viral infection that requires the presence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) to replicate.
  • HDV cannot exist independently and occurs as co-infection (simultaneous with HBV) or superinfection (after existing HBV).
• Who Classified It as Carcinogenic?
  • Classified by:
    • WHO (World Health Organization)
    • IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer)
  • Group 1 Category: Proven carcinogens in humans.
    • Key Features of Hepatitis D and HBV Infection:
    • Affects nearly 12 million people, i.e., ~5% of chronic HBV carriers globally.
    • High prevalence in Asia, Africa, and the Amazon Basin. It also affects injection drug users and dialysis patients.
    • Symptoms: Fatigue, jaundice, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine — often ignored or misdiagnosed.
    • Transmission: Through infected blood, unprotected sex, unsafe injections, and vertical transmission (mother-to-child).
  • Why HDV is Classified as Cancer-Causing?
    • Worsens HBV Outcomes: Co-infection increases liver cancer risk by 2–6 times vs. HBV alone.
    • Rapid Liver Damage: Up to 75% develop cirrhosis in 15 years, compared to 50% in HBV-only cases.
    • Aggressive Progression: Fast-tracked development of fibrosis and liver failure in younger populations.
    • HDV hijacks HBV’s replication machinery, amplifying viral and oncogenic load.
  • Treatment Landscape:
    • No HDV-specific vaccine and HBV vaccine is the only preventive measure for both.
    • Bulevirtide (approved in Europe) shows promise, used alongside pegylated interferon.
    • HBV managed with lifelong antivirals and HDV therapies are still limited and expensive.
    • WHO reports critical gaps in testing:
      • Only 13% of HBV and 36% of HCV cases diagnosed.
      • Treatment rates remain as low as 3% for HBV and 20% for HCV (2022 data).