Review article: specifically targeted anti-viral therapy for hepatitis C - a new era in therapy.
BACKGROUND
Novel, directly acting anti-viral agents, also named 'specifically targeted anti-viral therapy for hepatitis C' (STAT-C) compounds, are currently under development.


OBJECTIVE
To review the potential of STAT-C agents which are currently under clinical development, with a focus on agents that target HCV proteins.


METHODS
Studies evaluating STAT-C compounds were identified by systematic literature search using PubMed as well as databases of abstracts presented in English at recent liver and gastroenterology congresses.


RESULTS
Numerous directly-acting anti-viral agents are currently under clinical phase I-III evaluation. Final results of phase II clinical trials evaluating the most advanced compounds telaprevir and boceprevir indicate that the addition of these NS3/4A protease inhibitors to pegylated interferon-alfa and ribavirin strongly improves the chance to achieve a SVR in treatment-naive HCV genotype 1 patient as well as in prior nonresponders and relapsers to standard therapy. Monotherapy with directly acting anti-virals is not suitable. NS5B polymerase inhibitors in general have a lower anti-viral efficacy than protease inhibitors.


CONCLUSIONS
STAT-C compounds in addition to pegylated interferon-alfa and ribavirin can improve SVR rates at least in HCV genotype 1 patients. Future research needs to evaluate whether a SVR can be achieved by combination therapies of STAT-C compounds in interferon-free regimens.
Lange
C M
CM
Department of Medicine, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Sarrazin
C
C
Zeuzem
S
S
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
D000998:Antiviral Agents