The 2020 Nobel prize of Medicine for three hepatitis C discovery pioneers: a medical history milestone

摘要

The attribution of the 2020 Nobel prize in Medicine to Harvey J. ALTER (MD), Michael HOUGHTON (PhD, DSC Hon.) and Charles M. RICE (PhD) for their contribution in the discovery of hepatitis C virus was widely applauded by all medical and public health communities alike. The discovery, identification characterization and therapeutic eradication of hepatitis C virus is truly an historical milestone, comparable to that of tuberculosis, poliomyelitis or HIV. HCV becoming the first ever curable chronic viral disease! Hepatitis C is a major worldwide public health problem with more than 70 million carriers responsible for chronic hepatitis silently progressing to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and 440.000 deaths a year. Transmitted by blood to blood exposure it is a man-made disease.