Topic Highlight
Copyright ©2013 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Dec 21, 2013; 19(47): 8963-8973
Published online Dec 21, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i47.8963
Antiviral treatment of hepatitis C virus infection and factors affecting efficacy
Yan Zhu, Song Chen
Yan Zhu, Song Chen, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Southwest Hospital, the Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
Author contributions: Chen S designed and acquired the data for this manuscript; and Zhu Y wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Dr. Song Chen, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Southwest Hospital, the Third Military Medical University, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400038, China. cs196@medmail.com.cn
Telephone: +86-23-68754858   Fax: +86-23-68754858
Received: September 28, 2013
Revised: November 7, 2013
Accepted: November 18, 2013
Published online: December 21, 2013
Processing time: 113 Days and 18.2 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: Understanding the effectiveness and affecting factors of antiviral regimens are critical for making informed treatment decisions for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In this review, we have summarized the history of anti-HCV agents from interferon to the direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAAs) without polyethylene glycol interferon-α therapies and the affecting factors of antiviral treatment, focusing on investigating the optimal combination of antiviral therapies to achieve higher efficacy and better medication compliance. Although the efficacy of DAAs is significantly improved, many unmet needs and questions remain, such as avoidance of cross-resistance, the remaining high incidence of side effects, the role of IL28B status as well as the management of patients who do not respond to therapy.