Hepatitis D Carcinogenic: WHO Calls for Urgent Action

In the wake of World Hepatitis Day on July 28, the World Health Organization (WHO) is issuing a critical call to action for governments and partners worldwide. The organization is urging accelerated efforts to eradicate viral hepatitis as a public health threat and significantly reduce liver cancer mortality.

Viral hepatitis, encompassing types A, B, C, D, and E, is a primary cause of acute liver infections. Notably, hepatitis B, C, and D can lead to chronic infections, substantially elevating the risk of cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. Despite the severity, a importent portion of infected individuals remain unaware of their condition.Hepatitis B, C, and D collectively impact over 300 million people globally, resulting in more than 1.3 million deaths annually, predominantly from liver cirrhosis and cancer.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has recently designated hepatitis D as carcinogenic to humans, a classification shared with hepatitis B and C. Hepatitis D, wich exclusively affects individuals already infected with hepatitis B, is linked to a two- to six-fold increased risk of liver cancer compared to hepatitis B infection alone. This reclassification is a pivotal moment for global initiatives aimed at raising awareness, enhancing screening protocols, and expanding access to emerging treatments for hepatitis D.

Current medical advancements offer effective treatments for hepatitis C, with oral medications capable of curing the infection within two to three months. Hepatitis B can be managed effectively thru lifelong therapy that suppresses the virus. Treatment options for hepatitis D are continuously developing. However, realizing the full potential of reducing liver cirrhosis and cancer deaths hinges on immediate and concerted action to scale up and integrate hepatitis services-including vaccination, testing, harm reduction strategies, and treatment-into national healthcare systems.

To this end, the WHO is collaborating with Rotary International and the World Hepatitis Alliance to strengthen both global and local advocacy efforts. This year’s campaign, themed “Hepatitis: Let’s break it down,” emphasizes the urgent need to address the escalating incidence of liver cancer associated with chronic hepatitis infections. It also advocates for decisive measures to overcome persistent obstacles, such as stigma and funding deficits, which continue to impede progress in hepatitis prevention, testing, and treatment.