TY - JOUR
T1 - New hope for hepatitis C virus
T2 - Summary of global epidemiologic changes and novel innovations over 20 years
AU - Dennis, Brittany B.
AU - Naji, Leen
AU - Jajarmi, Yasmin
AU - Ahmed, Aijaz
AU - Kim, Donghee
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
©The Author(s) 2021. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
PY - 2021/8/7
Y1 - 2021/8/7
N2 - Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global health concern associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Before the approval of second-generation direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs), interferon therapy and liver transplantation constituted the mainstay of treatment. The introduction of well-tolerated oral DAAs in late 2013 has revolutionized HCV management with over 95% cure rates. The predominance of HCV-related liver transplantations has declined following the widespread approval of DAAs. Despite the unparallel efficacy observed among these novel therapies, pharmaceutical costs continue to limit equitable access to healthcare and likely contribute to the differential HCV infection rates observed globally. To reduce the burden of disease worldwide, essential agenda items for all countries must include the prioritization of integrated care models and access to DAAs therapies. Through transparent negotiations with the pharmaceutical industry, the consideration for compassionate release of medications to promote equitable division of care is paramount. Here we provide a literature review of HCV, changes in epidemiologic trends, access issues for current therapies, and global inequities in disease burden.
AB - Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global health concern associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Before the approval of second-generation direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs), interferon therapy and liver transplantation constituted the mainstay of treatment. The introduction of well-tolerated oral DAAs in late 2013 has revolutionized HCV management with over 95% cure rates. The predominance of HCV-related liver transplantations has declined following the widespread approval of DAAs. Despite the unparallel efficacy observed among these novel therapies, pharmaceutical costs continue to limit equitable access to healthcare and likely contribute to the differential HCV infection rates observed globally. To reduce the burden of disease worldwide, essential agenda items for all countries must include the prioritization of integrated care models and access to DAAs therapies. Through transparent negotiations with the pharmaceutical industry, the consideration for compassionate release of medications to promote equitable division of care is paramount. Here we provide a literature review of HCV, changes in epidemiologic trends, access issues for current therapies, and global inequities in disease burden.
KW - Direct-acting antivirals
KW - Global health
KW - Hepatitis c virus
KW - Liver cirrhosis
KW - Liver transplantation
KW - People who inject drugs
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85111882236&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85111882236&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3748/wjg.v27.i29.4818
DO - 10.3748/wjg.v27.i29.4818
M3 - Review article
C2 - 34447228
AN - SCOPUS:85111882236
SN - 1007-9327
VL - 27
SP - 4818
EP - 4830
JO - World Journal of Gastroenterology
JF - World Journal of Gastroenterology
IS - 29
ER -