[Goals of treatment, indication, and treatment for chronic hepatitis C].
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic hepatitis and hepatic fibrosis worldwide. Up to 85% of individuals infected with HCV develop chronic infection, which can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The primary goal in the treatment of HCV infection is to reduce the mortality by preventing liver-related deaths associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma and decompensated cirrhosis. Pegylated interferons together with ribavirin are currently the standard of care for patients with chronic hepatitis. Here, I discuss the goals of treatment, indication and treatment of chronic hepatitis C.
Paik
Seung Woon
SW
Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. sw.paik@samsung.com
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a