The knowledge on HCV: from the discovery to the elimination

Abstract

Abstract. From being described as “non-A, non-B” hepatitis in 1975 and being identified in 1989, to the emergence of direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAAs), knowledge on hepatitis C virus (HCV) has achieved a qualitative leap in recent decades. Although more than 95% of HCV patients can be cured by DAAs, the high detection rate, high treatment cost, and relative high recurrence rate for some subtypes (eg, type 3b) make it still a public health problem worldwide. Due to the widespread availability of DAAs, vaccine research has received relatively little attention. The purpose of this review is to look back to the discovery of the HCV, its life cycle, innate and adaptive immune responses, and the evolution of treatment options for HCV.