[Progress in hepatitis C treatment]

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Virology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• New protease inhibitors, boceprevir and telaprevir, are approved for chronic hepatitis C genotype 1.
• These treatments significantly increase sustained viral response in both naive and previously treated patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of new triple therapy regimens.
• To address practical issues and monitoring needs associated with these novel treatments.

Main Methods:

• Clinical evaluation of triple therapy including boceprevir and telaprevir.
• Assessment of adverse events and drug interactions.
• Analysis of treatment outcomes in special populations.

Main Results:

• Triple therapy demonstrates increased efficacy in achieving sustained viral response.
• An increase in adverse events, some serious, has been observed.
• Efficacy and safety in cirrhotic and transplanted patients require further investigation.

Conclusions:

• While effective, new hepatitis C treatments necessitate careful patient management due to adverse events and interactions.
• Close monitoring is essential, particularly for patients with cirrhosis or those who have undergone transplantation.