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©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Aug 7, 2014; 20(29): 9633-9652
Published online Aug 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i29.9633
Published online Aug 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i29.9633
Hepatitis C virus in the new era: Perspectives in epidemiology, prevention, diagnostics and predictors of response to therapy
Filippo Ansaldi, Andrea Orsi, Laura Sticchi, Giancarlo Icardi, Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
Filippo Ansaldi, Laura Sticchi, Bianca Bruzzone, Giancarlo Icardi, Hygiene Unit, I.R.C.C.S. “A.O.U. San Martino-IST”, 16132 Genoa, Italy
Author contributions: Ansaldi F, Orsi A, Sticchi L, Bruzzone B and Icardi G contributed to literature review and writing of this paper.
Correspondence to: Filippo Ansaldi, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via Antonio Pastore 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy. filippo.ansaldi@unige.it
Telephone: +39-10-3538485 Fax: +39-10-3538502
Received: November 8, 2013
Revised: April 20, 2014
Accepted: May 19, 2014
Published online: August 7, 2014
Revised: April 20, 2014
Accepted: May 19, 2014
Published online: August 7, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Challenges and opportunities will characterise the story of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection also in the new era. Despite the great therapeutic advances, improvements in HCV surveillance, epidemiological mapping, testing, prevention and therapy are urgently needed. Currently HCV vaccine candidates have shown promising results in animal models and data from clinical phase 1/2 trials are expected. Predictors of response to therapy represent a chance for modulated and personalized treatment management, when also very potent therapies will be available. The ultimate goal of global HCV control will be achieved with the joint efforts of researchers and public health workers.