title: Virus-drug interactions--molecular insight into immunosuppression and HCV.
abstract: Liver transplantation is an effective treatment for end-stage liver disease that is attributable to chronic HCV infection. However, long-term outcomes are compromised by universal virological recurrence in the graft. Reinfection that occurs after transplantation has increased resistance to current interferon-based antiviral therapy and often leads to accelerated development of cirrhosis. Important risk factors for severe HCV recurrence are linked to immunosuppression. Owing to the lack of good randomized, controlled trials, the optimal choice of immunosuppressants is still debated. By contrast, much progress has been made in the understanding of HCV biology and the antiviral action of interferons. These new insights have greatly expanded our knowledge of the molecular interplay between HCV and immunosuppressive drugs. In this article, we explore the effect of different immunosuppressants on the complex cellular events involved in HCV infection and interferon signalling. Potential implications for clinical practice and future drug development are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC-University Medical Center, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Qiuwei
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Hugo W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Tilanus
authors.forename: Herold J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Metselaar
authors.forename: Harry L A
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Janssen
authors.forename: Luc J W
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: van der Laan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D055502:Secondary Prevention
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007372:Interferons