New therapies for hepatitis C virus infection.
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a global health threat with approximately 175 million carriers worldwide. Currently, treatment consists of pegylated interferon alpha plus ribavirin for 12-72 weeks, depending on HCV genotype, baseline viral load, and initial virological response to therapy. Serious adverse effects and limited sustained virological responses with this therapy warrant the need for novel HCV therapies. Specifically targeted antiviral therapies designed to inhibit the HCV serine protease and the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase have recently entered clinical development. Herein, the main characteristics of these new antiviral agents and the most important challenges arising with their use--namely, toxicities and rapid selection of resistance--are discussed.
Soriano
Vincent
V
Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Carlos III, Madrid, Spain. vsoriano@dragonet.es
Peters
Marion G
MG
Zeuzem
Stefan
S
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D024882:Drug Resistance, Viral; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans
D000998:Antiviral Agents