Direct-acting antiviral agents and the path to interferon independence
AbstractChronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major global health problem; there are approximately 120 to 130 million chronic infections worldwide.
Since the discovery of HCV 24 years ago, there has been a relentless effort to develop successful antiviral therapies. Studies of interferon-α-based therapies have helped define treatment parameters, and these treatment strategies have cured a substantial percentage of patients. However, interferon-α must be injected; there are problems with tolerability, adherence, and incomplete response in a large percentage of patients. New drug candidates designed to target the virus or the host have recently been introduced at an unprecedented pace. In phase I–III studies, these agents have exceeded expectations and achieved rates of response previously not thought possible. We are, therefore, entering a new era of therapy for HCV infection and interferon independence.
Clin. Gastroenterol Hepatol. – 2014. – Vol. 12, N 5. – P. 728-737. doi: 10.1016
Keywords:DAA, NS3/4A protease inhibitor, nucleoside/nucleotide, nonnucleoside
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