Abstract
Background:
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a serious health problem worldwide. The current standard treatment of HCV infection is pegylated interferon-alpha plus ribavirin, but this is clearly not sufficiently effective and tolerable.
Objective:
To review current HCV treatment strategies and future options.
Methods:
Review of major clinical trials or observational studies when no trial is available.
Results/conclusion:
Rates of sustained virologic response are widely variable, approximately 40-80%, depending on genotype, and even lower when HIV coinfection occurs. New agents, like small molecules that specifically target the HCV life cycle, may improve response rates; but safety is a concern.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage
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Antiviral Agents / adverse effects
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Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
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Clinical Trials as Topic
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DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / antagonists & inhibitors
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Drug Resistance, Viral
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Drug Therapy, Combination
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Genotype
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HIV Infections / complications
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HIV Infections / drug therapy
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HIV Infections / virology
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Hepacivirus / drug effects
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Hepatitis C, Chronic / complications
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Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
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Hepatitis C, Chronic / virology
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Humans
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Interferon-alpha / administration & dosage
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Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
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Polyethylene Glycols
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Protease Inhibitors / therapeutic use
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Ribavirin / administration & dosage
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Ribavirin / adverse effects
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Ribavirin / therapeutic use
Substances
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Antiviral Agents
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Interferon-alpha
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Protease Inhibitors
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Polyethylene Glycols
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Ribavirin
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DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases