Raloxifene inhibits hepatitis C virus infection and replication

Postmenopausal women with chronic hepatitis C exhibited a poor response to interferon (IFN) therapy compared to premenopausal women. Osteoporosis is the typical complication that occurs in postmenopausal women. Recently, it was reported that an osteoporotic reagent, vitamin D3, exhibited anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) activity. Therefore, we investigated whether or not another osteoporotic reagent, raloxifene, would exhibit anti-HCV activity in cell culture systems. Here, we demonstrated that raloxifene inhibited HCV RNA replication in genotype 1b and infection in genotype 2a. Raloxifene enhanced the anti-HCV activity of IFN-α. These results suggest a link between the molecular biology of osteoporosis and the HCV life cycle.

▸ The osteoporotic reagent, raloxifene, inhibits HCV infection and replication. ▸ Raloxifene enhanced the anti-HCV activity of interferon. ▸ Raloxifene is a candidate for add-on therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. ▸ The biology of osteoporosis is associated with the HCV life cycle.