HCV replication and statin pleotropism: an adjuvant treatment panacea?

With optimal treatment regimens for hepatitis C still under investigation, novel agents that may improve sustained virologic response (SVR) are needed. The targeting of host lipid metabolism, particularly via the cholesterol-lowering 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors or statins, represents a novel approach to hepatitis C therapy and has been proven beneficial in vitro. The study in this issue of the Journal is the first prospective trial that shows benefit, albeit modest, of statin therapy in vivo. While limited by heterogeneous patient population and overall small numbers, this study provides hope that use of statins in combination with standard therapy pegylated interferon and ribavirin may improve SVR.