Prospects for nucleic acid-based therapeutics against hepatitis C virus

Core Tip

Core tip: Nucleic acids have emerged as new anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) agents due to their great specificity, chemical synthesizability, pharmaceutical amenability, and broad targeting ability. Clinical applications of nucleic acids have been delayed due to their potential immunogenicity and toxicity, low efficacy, possible off-target effects, and lack of efficient delivery vehicles. However, recent advances in delivery carriers and chemical modification methods have improved the efficacy and bioavailability of nucleic acid-based agents. Hence, nucleic acids may be attractive anti-HCV options. In this report, the current status and future prospects of ribozymes, aptamers, siRNAs, and antisense oligonucleotides as anti-HCV regimens will be discussed.