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A Competent Hepatocyte Model Examining Hepatitis B Virus Entry through Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide as a Therapeutic Target
Published on: May 10, 2022
[Tailor-made strategy in HCV treatment]
Tsunamasa Watanabe1, Yasuhito Tanaka
1Department of Virology and Liver Unit, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences.
Insights
Host genetic variations significantly impact Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection outcomes and treatment responses. Genome-wide association studies reveal polymorphisms crucial for personalized HCV therapies.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Genetics
- Hepatology
Context:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major global health concern, leading to severe liver disease and cancer.
- Current treatments achieve limited success, with only about 50% of patients responding to pegylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin.
- Spontaneous viral clearance occurs in a minority of acute infections, suggesting host factors are involved.
Purpose:
- To review the current evidence linking host genetic variations to Hepatitis C clinical outcomes.
- To explore the role of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in identifying these genetic factors.
- To discuss the implications for developing personalized therapies for chronic Hepatitis C.
Summary:
- Host genome variations play a critical role in Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection progression and treatment efficacy.
- Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified specific genetic polymorphisms associated with HCV infection outcomes and adverse effects.
- Understanding these host-pathogen interactions is key to improving treatment strategies.
Impact:
- Identifies host genetic factors influencing Hepatitis C outcomes, aiding in risk stratification.
- Highlights the potential for genotype-specific and personalized treatment approaches for chronic Hepatitis C.
- Advances the understanding of host-virus interactions in viral hepatitis, paving the way for novel therapeutic targets.
Abstract:
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global health problem and a leading cause of end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Treatment of HCV infection with pegylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin can eradicate chronic HCV infection in approximately 50% of patients infected with high viremia of HCV genotype 1, and spontaneous viral clearance was observed in approximately 30% of individuals with acute infection. These findings were strongly expected to reflect variations of the host genome. Significant breakthrough by the genome-wide association study (GWAS) approach led to the discovery of genetic polymorphisms playing a major role in the evolution of infection, as well as on treatment response and adverse effects. Herein, we present current evidence with regard to the relationship between host variations and clinical outcome of hepatitis C, and focus on the potential clinical implications with respect to tailor-made therapy for chronic hepatitis C.
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