Treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature on the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE search (1986-December 1999) using key words such as H CV, hepatitis, non-A and non-B hepatitis, as well as terms regarding treatm ent during that time period. DATA SYNTHESIS: HCV infection was initially treated with interferon monothe rapy, but only a minority of patients responded to long-term therapy. A hig her rate of response in both interferon-naive patients and interferon-relap sers has been achieved by using the combination of interferon and ribavarin . Other treatment regimens including high-dose interferon protocols, ursode oxycholic acid, amantadine, and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs have be en less promising. Many alternative therapies are being investigated. CONCLUSIONS: HCV infection is a major public health problem. It is now poss ible to achieve a cure in nearly 50% of the patients with this infection. M any additional therapies are being evaluated in order to achieve a higher c ure rate.