Advances in therapy for hepatitis C infection

The first approved therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was recombinant interferon. Subsequently, controlled studies demonstrated that the combination of interferon-alpha and ribavirin leads to significantly higher virologic sustained responses in patients with chronic hepatitis C. A novel modification of the interferon molecule resulted in the formulation of pegylated interferons, which have a longer half-life than standard interferon. Two recent trials have established the superiority of pegylated interferons compared with interferon-alpha in inducing sustained virologic responses in patients with chronic HCV infection, with or without cirrhosis. Presumably, pegylated interferons will replace standard interferon in treating HCV infection. Phase 3 trials of pegylated interferons in combination with ribavirin are currently under way. Noninterferon-based therapies for the treatment of HCV infection are also in the developmental and experimental phases. Our aims in this review are to present the currently available therapeutic options for HCV infection and the evidence supporting their use in typical patients with chronic hepatitis C or in patients with special circumstances. We also briefly review novel therapeutic approaches, including noninterferon-based therapies.