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].