Evolution and emergence of a new era of antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis C infection

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health burden associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The approval of telaprevir and boceprevir for use with interferon and ribavirin in chronic HCV infection significantly increased viral eradication but has been accompanied by increased adverse events and therefore inferior clinical tolerance. Newer classes of antiviral agents, such as directly acting antiviral and host-targeting agents, offer a combination of drugs without the need for interferon and can achieve better response rates with a shorter duration of treatment. This offers an exciting prospect in the new era of antiviral treatment for HCV infection.