Future therapies for hepatitis C.
Although pegylated interferon-alpha plus ribavirin has become the standard for treating chronic hepatitis C virus infection, a substantial number of patients do not tolerate therapy and require dose reduction or discontinuation, or do not respond to this combination therapy. Thus, new therapeutic options are needed. An increased knowledge of the hepatitis C virus and an understanding of its replication cycle, as well as advances in biotechnology, have stimulated the development of numerous new antiviral treatments for patients with hepatitis C virus infection. This review focuses on four classes of new agents: new interferons, ribavirin-like molecules, specific small-molecule hepatitis C virus inhibitors and new immune therapies, with particular emphasis on medications in the later stages of development.
Pawlotsky
Jean-Michel
JM
Department of Virology, INSERM U635, Henri Mondor Hospital, University of Paris, Créteil, France.
Gish
Robert G
RG
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007372:Interferons