Review article: 2014 UK consensus guidelines - hepatitis C management and direct-acting anti-viral therapy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Therapeutic options for the management of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have evolved rapidly over the past two decades, with a consequent improvement in cure rates. Novel therapeutic agents are an area of great interest in the research community, with a number of these agents showing promise in the clinical setting.

AIMS:

To assess and present the available evidence for the use of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of HCV, updating previous guidelines.

METHODS:

All Phase 2 and 3 studies, as well as abstract presentations from international Hepatology meetings were identified and reviewed for suitable inclusion, based on studies of new therapies in HCV. Treatment-naïve and experienced individuals, as well as cirrhotic and co-infected individuals were included.

RESULTS:

Sofosbuvir, simeprevir and faldaprevir, along with pegylated interferon and ribavirin, have a role in the treatment of chronic HCV infection. The precise regimens are largely dependent on the patient characteristics, patient and physician preferences, and cost implication.

CONCLUSIONS:

Therapies for chronic HCV have evolved dramatically in recent years. Interferon-free regimens are now possible without compromise in the rate of sustained viral response. The decision as to which regimen is most appropriate is multifactorial, and based on efficacy, safety and cost.

• Authors: M H Miller, K Agarwal, A Austin, A Brown, S T Barclay, P Dundas, G M Dusheiko, G R Foster, R Fox, P C Hayes, C Leen, C Millson, S D Ryder, J Tait, A Ustianowski, J F Dillon, British Viral Hepatitis group, British Society of Gastroenterology Liver Committee, British Association for the Study of Liver, Scottish Society of Gastroenterology, Scottish Viral Hepatitis group, Scottish Viral Hepatitis Nurses group
• Journal: Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics (Aliment Pharmacol Ther) Vol. 39 Issue 12 Pg. 1363-75 (Jun 2014) ISSN: 1365-2036 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 24754233 (Publication Type: Consensus Development Conference, Journal Article, Practice Guideline, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Chemical References

• Aminoisobutyric Acids
• Antiviral Agents
• Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring
• Interferon-alpha
• Oligopeptides
• Quinolines
• Sulfonamides
• Thiazoles
• Ribavirin
• Interferons
• faldaprevir
• Proline
• Simeprevir
• Uridine Monophosphate
• Leucine
• Sofosbuvir

Topics

• Aminoisobutyric Acids
• Antiviral Agents (therapeutic use)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Hepatitis C, Chronic (drug therapy)
• Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Interferon-alpha (therapeutic use)
• Interferons (therapeutic use)
• Leucine (analogs & derivatives)
• Oligopeptides (therapeutic use)
• Proline (analogs & derivatives)
• Quinolines
• Ribavirin (therapeutic use)
• Simeprevir
• Sofosbuvir
• Sulfonamides (therapeutic use)
• Thiazoles (therapeutic use)
• Uridine Monophosphate (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)