Advances in hepatitis C: what is coming in the next 5 years?

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Numerous advances have been made in the understanding of HCV replication, including detailed molecular characterization of its viral proteins and genomic RNA. The inability to grow HCV in cell culture had impeded the development of antiviral agents against this virus. To overcome this obstacle, a number of unique tools have been prepared, such as molecular clones that are infectious in the chimpanzee animal model of infection, and the development of a subgenomic replicon system in Huh7 cells. In addition, the major non-structural proteins have been crystallized, thus enabling rational drug design directed to these targets. Current developments in antiviral agents are reviewed in the context of these potential new viral targets for the future treatment of HCV in chronically infected individuals.