Treatment of Hepatitis C Infections with Interferon: A Historical Perspective

摘要

Interferons were first described in 1957, but it was not until 34 years after their discovery that sufficient quantities of it were available for treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, Clinicians now have an excellent understanding of the basis for the effectiveness of interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) in the therapy of this disease. Treatment with IFN-alpha is more efficient when it complemented by the antiviral ribavirin and the IFN-alpha is conjugated with polyethylene glycol to form peginterferon. In the near future treatment of HCV with IFN-alpha may involve new anti-HCV agents that are currently under development.