MOLECULAR TOOLS FOR THE TREATMENT OF HEPATITIS-C

The treatment of chronic hepatitis C is aimed at eliminating viral rep lication in order to prevent further evolution towards cirrhosis and h epatocellular carcinoma. Virological parameters include hepatitis C vi rus (HCV) genotype, qualitative viraemia, quantitative viral load and the characteristics of HCV quasispecies heterogeneity. These parameter s can be used to predict and monitor the response to therapy, in order to help clinicians to tailor treatment of chronic hepatitis C and to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying HCV resistance t o antiviral drugs. Current knowledge on these various issues is review ed in the present article.