Hepatitis C therapy update

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Abstract
We review here the recent literature regarding hepatitis C treatment through January 2012. We discuss newly approved therapies and their clinical trial data and discuss what can be expected in this rapidly changing field. Two new directly acting antiviral agents were approved in 2011 for use in hepatitis C treatment, bringing shortened treatment durations, and increased treatment success to some patients with genotype 1 hepatitis C. Additional drugs using different viral targets are in development to further improve response rates, tolerance, and increase access to therapy. Telaprevir and boceprevir were approved in 2011 for use against genotype 1 hepatitis C, in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. In most populations of genotype 1 patients, response rates are much improved but increased treatment related anemia has been seen. Additional options for therapy, including interferon-free regimens, are still needed and are under development.