Emerging antiviral drugs for hepatitis C virus.
Infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global health problem that affects approximately 170 million people worldwide. The current standard therapy with peginterferon alpha plus ribavirin for 48 weeks results in a sustained virologic response in less than 50% of patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1--the most prevalent type of HCV in North America and Europe. Development of new antiviral medicines has been hampered by the lack of an effective cell culture system and small-animal model. Herein we review recent progress in the development of new treatments under investigation in clinical trials, including specifically targeted antiviral therapy for HCV such as NS3/4A protease and NS5B polymerase inhibitors.
Enomoto
Masaru
M
Department of Hepatology, Osaka City University Medical School, Osaka, Japan.
Tamori
Akihiro
A
Kawada
Norifumi
N
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D024882:Drug Resistance, Viral; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans
D000998:Antiviral Agents