Musings on genome medicine: Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a viral disease transmitted principally by blood, which affects millions of people worldwide. A significant proportion of those affected develop severe liver disease as a result. Only a fraction of patients are responsive to interferon treatment, highlighting the need for further research into genetic factors involved in response to therapy in order to optimize treatment. The only current approach for end-stage disease is liver transplant, which ironically does not cure the condition, and thus poses a clinical dilemma in the face of liver-donor shortage.