Hepatitis C virus: Promising discoveries and new treatments

Despite advances in therapy, hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection remains an important global health issue. It is estimated that a significant part of the world population is chronically infected with the virus, and many of those affected may develop cirrhosis or liver cancer. The virus shows considerab...

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Published inWorld journal of gastroenterology : WJG Vol. 22; no. 28; pp. 6393 - 6401
Main Authors Bastos, Juliana Cristina Santiago, Padilla, Marina Aiello, Caserta, Leonardo Cardia, Miotto, Noelle, Vigani, Aline Gonzalez, Arns, Clarice Weis
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Baishideng Publishing Group Inc 28.07.2016
Subjects
Antiviral Agents - therapeutic use
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular
Drug Therapy, Combination
Hepacivirus - genetics
Hepatitis
Hepatitis C, Chronic - drug therapy
Hepatitis C, Chronic - virology
Humans
infection;Hepatitis
Interferon-alpha - therapeutic use
Liver Cirrhosis
Liver Neoplasms
Protease Inhibitors - therapeutic use
Ribavirin - therapeutic use
RNA, Viral
Sustained Virologic Response
Topic Highlight
Viral Load
virus;Treatments;Antiviral
Antiviral research
Hepatitis C infection
Hepatitis C virus
Treatments
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Summary:Despite advances in therapy, hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection remains an important global health issue. It is estimated that a significant part of the world population is chronically infected with the virus, and many of those affected may develop cirrhosis or liver cancer. The virus shows considerable variability, a characteristic that directly interferes with disease treatment. The response to treatment varies according to HCV genotype and subtype. The continuous generation of variants(quasispecies) allows the virus to escape control by antivirals. Historically, the combination of ribavirin and interferon therapy has represented the only treatment option for the disease. Currently, several new treatment options are emerging and are available to a large part of the affected population. In addition, the search for new substances with antiviral activity against HCV continues, promising future improvements in treatment. Researchers should consider the mutation capacity of the virus and the other variables that affect treatment success.
Bibliography:Juliana Cristina Santiago Bastos;Marina Aiello Padilla;Leonardo Cardia Caserta;Noelle Miotto;Aline Gonzalez Vigani;Clarice Weis Arns;Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas - UNICAMP;Internal Medicine Department, Infectious Diseases division, FCM-UNICAMP
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Author contributions: Bastos JCS, Padilla MA, Caserta LC, Miotto N, Vigani AG and Arns CW analyzed the literature and wrote the manuscript.
Telephone: +55-19-35216258 Fax: +55-19-35216185
Correspondence to: Juliana Cristina Santiago Bastos, MsC, Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas - UNICAMP, P.O. Box: 6109, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil. jusantiago_farmacia@yahoo.com.br
ISSN:1007-9327
2219-2840
DOI:10.3748/wjg.v22.i28.6393