Treatment of hepatitis C virus infection

doi:10.3748/wjg.v13.i13.1897

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Apr 7, 2007 (publication date) through Nov 3, 2024

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World Journal of Gastroenterology

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1007-9327

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Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA

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World J Gastroenterol. Apr 7, 2007; 13(13): 1897-1905
Published online Apr 7, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i13.1897

Treatment of hepatitis C virus infection

Kilian Weigand, Wolfgang Stremmel, Jens Encke

Kilian Weigand, Wolfgang Stremmel, Jens Encke, University of Heidelberg, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, Heidelberg 69120, Germany

Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.

Correspondence to: Professor J Encke, University of Heidelberg, Department of Gastroenterology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, Hei-delberg D-69120, Germany. jens_encke@med.uni-heidelberg.de

Telephone: +49-6221-5638825 Fax: +49-6221-566858

Received: January 11, 2007
Revised: February 3, 2006
Accepted: March 14, 2007
Published online: April 7, 2007

Abstract

Acute and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a serious health problem worldwide, however, there has been advancement in the treatment of HCV infection due to standard treatment using pegylated interferon and ribavirin. The literature indicates that therapy for HCV is becoming more individualized. In addition to considering genotype and viral RNA levels before treatment, achievement of an early virologic response (EVR) and a rapid virologic response (RVR) is now possible during therapy. Moreover, problem patients, such as non-responders, relapsers, HIV or HBV co-infected patients, patients with liver cirrhosis, and pre- or post-liver transplantation patients are an increasing fraction of the patients requiring treatment. This article reviews the literature regarding standard treatments and problem patients with acute and chronic HCV infection. It also includes discussion on contraindications and side effects of treatment with interferon and ribavirin, as well as new drug development.

Keywords: Hepatitis C virus; Acute and chronic HCV infection; Treatment; Pegylated interferon; Ribavirin; Sustained virologic response; Non-responders; Relapsers