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Current therapy for chronic hepatitis C: The role of direct-acting antivirals

Guangdi Li1, Erik De Clercq2

  • 1Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.

Antiviral Research
|February 28, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have revolutionized hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment, offering cures with improved efficacy and simplified regimens. While significant progress has been made, challenges persist for difficult-to-treat patient populations.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology and Viral Hepatitis Research
  • Antiviral Drug Development and Pharmacology

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was historically difficult to treat.
  • Interferon-based therapies had limitations in efficacy and tolerability.
  • The advent of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) marked a paradigm shift in HCV management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of FDA-approved and emerging anti-HCV therapies.
  • To analyze advancements in drug efficacy, mechanisms of action, and safety profiles.
  • To highlight key improvements in HCV treatment regimens.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of over 100 clinical trials and real-world studies on HCV treatments.
  • Analysis of FDA-approved direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) and novel anti-HCV agents.
  • Focus on drug efficacy, mechanisms of action, safety, and treatment characteristics.

Main Results:

  • Transition from interferon-based to interferon-free regimens.
  • Development of pan-genotypic drugs replacing genotype-specific therapies.
  • Significant improvements in sustained virologic response rates (>90%), simplified once-daily oral dosing, shortened treatment durations (8-12 weeks), and oral administration applicability across patient groups.

Conclusions:

  • Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have dramatically improved hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment outcomes.
  • HCV therapy has advanced with increased potency, simplified regimens, and broader applicability.
  • Challenges remain in managing specific patient populations, necessitating further research.
Keywords:
Direct-acting antiviralsNS3/4A drugsNS5A drugsNS5B drugs

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