Hepatitis C virus infection and immunomodulatory therapies

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a large-scale and significant health concern. The combination of subcutaneously administered pegylated interferon and oral ribavirin is the FDA-approved regimen for the treatment of chronic HCV infection. Combination therapy may result in a sustained virologic response leading to HCV eradication, with a reduction in risk for cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation, and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the combination of PEG-IFN and ribavirin does not universally result in cure in all patients who undergo treatment. In this article, the authors discuss immunomodulatory therapies and clinical trials in the treatment of HCV infection.