title: Treatment of hepatitis C infections with interferon: a historical perspective.
abstract: Interferons were first described in 1957, but it was not until 34 years after their discovery that sufficient quantities of it were available for treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, Clinicians now have an excellent understanding of the basis for the effectiveness of interferon alpha (IFN-α) in the therapy of this disease. Treatment with IFN-α is more efficient when it complemented by the antiviral ribavirin and the IFN-α is conjugated with polyethylene glycol to form peginterferon. In the near future treatment of HCV with IFN-α may involve new anti-HCV agents that are currently under development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Contente