Interferon-free combination therapies for the treatment of hepatitis C: current insights

Abstract

Jacinta A Holmes, Alexander J Thompson Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia Abstract: The hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment landscape has rapidly changed over the past 5 years. The development of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents that specifically target various steps in the HCV lifecycle has revolutionized therapeutic options for patients with HCV, with the development of highly effective and well-tolerated oral interferon-free regimens. There are many DAAs that are currently in development or have recently been approved, which target different nonstructural HCV proteins and host targets that are essential for HCV replication. This review will focus on the different classes of DAAs and the various combinations that are in advanced development for the treatment of chronic HCV infection and will focus on the different regimens in specific patient populations. Keywords: interferon-free, direct-acting antivirals, HCV therapy