Treatment of chronic hepatitis C.
10.5124/jkma.2012.55.11.1113
- Author:
Dae Won JUN
1
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. noshin@hanyang.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Clinical Trial
- Keywords:
Hepatitis C;
Standards;
Genotype
- MeSH:
Antiviral Agents;
Appointments and Schedules;
Genotype;
Hepatitis C;
Hepatitis C, Chronic;
Hepatitis, Chronic;
Humans;
Interferons;
Oligopeptides;
Proline;
Protease Inhibitors;
Ribavirin;
Viral Load;
Viruses
- From:Journal of the Korean Medical Association
2012;55(11):1113-1120
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
In the past 10 years, the standard treatment for chronic hepatitis C has been pegylated interferon and ribavirin for 24 to 48 weeks, based on genotype. Until now, fixed schedule therapy for chronic hepatitis C infection is the standard treatment in most countries. Response-guided therapy (RGT) is an emerging concept in which treatment decisions are based on how the virus responds to treatment. RGT has not been accepted into practice guidelines in all countries. The RGT approach takes into account both viral and host factors. RGT allows clinicians to provide a shorter duration of treatment, sparing patients of ongoing side effects and medical costs. We review several new treatment guidelines on new direct protease inhibitors. In late 2011, telaprevir and boceprevir were approved for treating chronic hepatitis C. Nowadays, the strategy for hepatitis C genotype 1 has been revolutionized by these two drugs. Other new direct acting antiviral agents have increased the sustained viral response significantly in chronic hepatitis genotype 1 patients in several recent clinical trials. In the future, Hepatitis C treatment will be personalized according to early viral response and baseline viral load. An interferon-free regimen will also be available for chronic hepatitis C.
