Interferon-combination strategies for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C

Semin Liver Dis. 2014 Feb;34(1):30-6. doi: 10.1055/s-0034-1371008. Epub 2014 Apr 29.

Abstract

Direct acting antiviral agents have revolutionized hepatitis C (HCV) therapy. Many agents that are either currently available or undergoing investigation offer higher rates of sustained virologic response, reduced toxicity and shorter duration of therapy when compared to traditional treatment consisting of pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Although interferon free therapy may be a preferred option, some patients may still require an interferon based regimen to ensure efficacy. In this review, we discuss therapeutic strategies which utilize various combinations of protease inhibitors, NS5A inhibitors, nucleotide polymerase inhibitors and non-nucleoside polymerase inhibitors along with pegylated interferon in the treatment of chronic HCV.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / adverse effects
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Design
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Hepacivirus / drug effects*
  • Hepacivirus / enzymology
  • Hepacivirus / genetics
  • Hepacivirus / growth & development
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / virology
  • Humans
  • Interferons / adverse effects
  • Interferons / therapeutic use*
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Protease Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Protease Inhibitors
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins
  • Interferons
  • NS-5 protein, hepatitis C virus