title: 1990-2010: two decades of interferon-based therapy.
abstract: Twenty-five years have passed since interferon-α was first used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection, and even now it remains an essential part of the standard of care for this condition. At present, the recommended treatment is a combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin A. There have been enormous advances in our understanding of the mechanisms through which interferon works and in identifying factors related to the response to this treatment. Even with the development of new protease inhibitors, it is likely that interferon will remain an essential component of hepatitis C treatment.
authors.affiliation: Liver Unit, Hospital General, Universitario Valle Hebron, Paseo Valle Hebron 119, Barcelona 08035, Spain. Mbuti@vhebron.net
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buti
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Esteban
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; D007372:Interferons; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a