Commentary on: Zeuzem S, Soriano V, Asselah T, et al. Faldaprevir and deleobuvir for HCV genotype 1 infection. N Engl J Med 2013;369:630–9.OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science

Context

The current standard-of-care therapy for patients with chronic genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a combination of peginterferon, ribavirin and a direct-acting antiviral (DAA) NS3/4A protease inhibitor (telaprevir or boceprevir).1 While this regimen is associated with sustained virological response (SVR) rates of approximately 67–75% among treatment-naïve patients, they are substantially lower in ‘difficult-to-treat’ populations including black patients, those with cirrhosis, and treatment-experienced patients. Furthermore, these medications, particularly peginterferon, are associated with substantial side effects that can limit treatment or preclude therapy initiation. The development of additional DAA classes that target the NS5B RNA polymerase and the NS5A protein opens the door to highly effective and potentially better tolerated interferon-free regimens.