Hepatitis C virus NS3 inhibitors: current and future perspectives

Biomed Res Int. 2013:2013:467869. doi: 10.1155/2013/467869. Epub 2013 Oct 27.

Abstract

Currently, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is considered a serious health-care problem all over the world. A good number of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) against HCV infection are in clinical progress including NS3-4A protease inhibitors, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitors, and NS5A inhibitors as well as host targeted inhibitors. Two NS3-4A protease inhibitors (telaprevir and boceprevir) have been recently approved for the treatment of hepatitis C in combination with standard of care (pegylated interferon plus ribavirin). The new therapy has significantly improved sustained virologic response (SVR); however, the adverse effects associated with this therapy are still the main concern. In addition to the emergence of viral resistance, other targets must be continually developed. One such underdeveloped target is the helicase portion of the HCV NS3 protein. This review article summarizes our current understanding of HCV treatment, particularly with those of NS3 inhibitors.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Hepacivirus / drug effects
  • Hepacivirus / genetics*
  • Hepacivirus / pathogenicity
  • Hepatitis C / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis C / genetics
  • Hepatitis C / pathology
  • Humans
  • Oligopeptides / therapeutic use
  • Protease Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • NS3 protein, hepatitis C virus
  • Oligopeptides
  • Protease Inhibitors
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins
  • Ribavirin
  • telaprevir
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase