Current and future therapies for hepatitis C virus infection: from viral proteins to host targets

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Virology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection poses a significant global health challenge, causing acute and chronic liver disease.
• Current therapeutic strategies include small organic compounds, siRNA, shRNA, and peptide inhibitors.
• The development of resistance and viral breakthrough are challenges associated with existing treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current and future therapies for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
• To provide insight into inhibitors targeting HCV, based on English-language literature from PubMed and Google Scholar.
• To discuss the clinical development and potential of novel therapeutic approaches.

Main Methods:

• Literature search of PubMed and Google Scholar for relevant English-language articles.
• Review of current and emerging therapeutic agents and strategies for HCV infection.
• Analysis of clinical development stages and efficacy of different inhibitor classes.

Main Results:

• HCV NS3/4A protease inhibitors and NS5B polymerase inhibitors are in advanced clinical development but face resistance issues.
• Boceprevir and telaprevir are approved protease inhibitors now part of the standard-of-care (SOC) treatment.
• Cyclophilin inhibitors show promising results among host-cell-targeting compounds.

Conclusions:

• Current SOC treatment involves Peg-interferon, ribavirin, and protease inhibitors.
• Future HCV therapies will likely involve combination treatments targeting multiple viral and host factors.
• Interferon-free direct-acting antiviral (DAA) combinations are expected to be the future standard for HCV treatment, minimizing side effects.