Therapeutics Advances
Copyright ©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.
World J Pharmacol. Dec 9, 2014; 3(4): 193-198
Published online Dec 9, 2014. doi: 10.5497/wjp.v3.i4.193
Table 1 Category, mode of action and major side-effects of anti-hepatitis C virus therapy
CategorySpecific targetMechanism of actionMajor side-effect
Interferon αHost hepatocytes and immune cellsEnhance host immune responseFlu-like symptoms
Ribavirin (nucleoside inhibitor)Nucleoside guanosine analogueStop viral RNA synthesis and viral mRNA capping Enhance interferon responseCytopenia
DAA
Protease inhibitor (NS3 inhibitor or NS3/4A inhibitor)NS 3 serine protease ± NS4A cofactorInhibit cleavage of the HCV proteins from the polyprecursorTransfusion-dependent anemia; drug interaction with calcineurin inhibitors
HCV polymerase inhibitor (NS 5B inhibitor)NS 5B protein (RNA-dependent RNA polymerase)Inhibit HCV replicationMinimal
NS 5A replication complex inhibitorNS 5A protein (protein for viral RNA replication and inteferon-resistance)Stop viral RNA replicationMinimal