The Potential for Combination Treatment Using STAT-C Drugs

Abstract

Given the limitations of pegylated interferon (IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, new antiviral medication and treatment approaches are sought. Specifically targeted antiviral therapies for hepatitis C (STAT-C) refers to the use of these new inhibitors, either in combination with IFN and RBV or other STAT-C agents, to improve therapy for HCV. Although many classes of inhibitors are being developed, NS3 protease and NS5B polymerase inhibitors are likely to be among the first STAT-C agents approved. The preclinical and clinical characteristics of HCV protease and polymerase inhibitors are reviewed in this article. Strengths and weaknesses of each class in the context of developing future all-STAT-C regimens are explored, with a particular focus on viral resistance and the prospects for eliminating IFN and/or RBV.