Treatment options in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Abstract

Hepatitis C is a major health care problem plagued by the lack of a truly effective therapy. To date, the combination of interferon and ribavirin has provided the best chance of viral eradication. However, this therapy is expensive, has multiple side effects and works in less than half of patients. New strategies need to be developed to deal with the increasing burden of hepatitis C-related disease, and we anxiously await the arrival of new drugs such as helicase and protease inhibitors.