Combination Therapy Improves Efficacy of HCV Inhibitors

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Combination Therapy Improves Efficacy of HCV Inhibitors

Given the limited efficacy of interferon-based therapy, researchers

are working to develop various small-molecule agents that have direct

activity against the hepatitis C virus (HCV), including HCV protease

and polymerase inhibitors. Several such drugs are currently in

clinical trials, including telaprevir (VX-950), valopicitabine

(NM283), and ITMN-191.

As is the case with antiretroviral agents for HIV, it is expected

that combinations of drugs will help prevent resistance by targeting

multiple steps of the HCV lifecycle.

As reported in the December 20, 2006 electronic edition of the

Journal of Virology, researchers conducted a systematic in vitro

assessment of combinations of interferon and/or novel anti-HCV agents

from several different classes.

The researchers found that combinations of HCV inhibitors with

different mechanisms of action consistently demonstrated more synergy

in combination than did compounds with similar mechanisms of action.

The authors concluded that, " These results suggest that combinations

of inhibitors with different mechanisms of action should be

prioritized for assessment in clinical trials for chronic hepatitis C

virus infection. "

1/09/07

Reference

D L Wyles, K A Kaihara, F Vaida, and others. Synergy of small

molecular inhibitors of HCV replication directed at multiple viral

targets. Journal of Virology. December 20, 2006 [Epub ahead of print].