Emerging antiviral drugs for hepatitis C virus.

Abstract

Infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global health problem that affects approximately 170 million people worldwide. The current standard therapy with peginterferon alpha plus ribavirin for 48 weeks results in a sustained virologic response in less than 50% of patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1--the most prevalent type of HCV in North America and Europe. Development of new antiviral medicines has been hampered by the lack of an effective cell culture system and small-animal model. Herein we review recent progress in the development of new treatments under investigation in clinical trials, including specifically targeted antiviral therapy for HCV such as NS3/4A protease and NS5B polymerase inhibitors.

• Authors: Masaru Enomoto, Akihiro Tamori, Norifumi Kawada
• Journal: Reviews on recent clinical trials (Rev Recent Clin Trials) Vol. 4 Issue 3 Pg. 179-84 (Sep 2009) ISSN: 1876-1038 [Electronic] United Arab Emirates
• PMID: 20028330 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents

Topics

• Antiviral Agents (pharmacology)
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Drug Resistance, Viral
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Hepacivirus (drug effects)
• Hepatitis C (drug therapy, virology)
• Hepatitis C, Chronic (drug therapy, virology)
• Humans