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A Protocol for Analyzing Hepatitis C Virus Replication
Published on: June 26, 2014
The 5th Canadian Symposium on Hepatitis C Virus: We Are Not Done Yet-Remaining Challenges in Hepatitis C
Nicholas van Buuren1, Lorraine Fradette2, Jason Grebely3
1Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a significant public health challenge in Canada, with many undiagnosed cases and low treatment rates despite effective new therapies. Continued efforts are needed to enhance prevention, diagnosis, and treatment to eliminate HCV.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology and Viral Diseases
- Public Health and Epidemiology
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) significantly impacts Canadians, causing more years of life lost than other infectious diseases.
- HCV-related liver disease is a priority for Canadian health organizations, leading to the creation of a National Hepatitis C Research Network.
Framework:
- The advent of interferon-free therapies in 2015 revolutionized Hepatitis C treatment, offering high cure rates (>90%) with minimal side effects.
- Despite therapeutic advancements, significant barriers including financial, geographical, cultural, and social factors impede diagnosis and treatment uptake in Canada.
Implementation:
- Comprehensive prevention strategies encompassing enhanced harm reduction, expanded screening, and widespread treatment are crucial.
- The development of an HCV vaccine remains a critical, yet unrealized, goal for disease elimination.
Implications:
- Addressing the remaining challenges in Hepatitis C prevention, diagnosis, and treatment is essential to reduce disease burden.
- The ultimate goal is the elimination of Hepatitis C in Canada, requiring a concerted and multi-faceted approach.
Abstract:
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects approximately 268,000 Canadians and results in more years of life lost than any other infectious disease in the country. Both the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) have identified HCV-related liver disease as a priority and supported the establishment of a National Hepatitis C Research Network. In 2015, the introduction of new interferon- (IFN-) free therapies with high cure rates (>90%) and few side effects revolutionized HCV therapy. However, a considerable proportion of the population remains undiagnosed and treatment uptake remains low in Canada due to financial, geographical, cultural, and social barriers. Comprehensive prevention strategies, including enhanced harm reduction, broader screening, widespread treatment, and vaccine development, are far from being realized. The theme of the 2016 symposium, "We're not done yet: remaining challenges in Hepatitis C," was focused on identifying strategies to enhance prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of HCV to reduce disease burden and ultimately eliminate HCV in Canada.
