Hepatitis C asociada al abuso de sustancias: nunca tan cerca de un tratamiento sin Interferón

Abstract

With 3-4 million of new infections occurring annually, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global Public Health problem. In fact, hepatitis C virus infection is one of the leading causes of liver disease in the world; in Western countries, two thirds of the new HCV infections are associated with injection drug use. The treatment of hepatitis C will change in the coming years with the irruption of new anti-HCV drugs, the so called Direct Antiviral Agents (DAA) that attack key proteins of the HCV life cycle. The new antiviral drugs are effective, safer and better tolerated. The 2014 WHO HCV treatment guidelines include some of them. The new DAA are used in combination and it is expected that Interferon will be not necessary in future treatment regimens against HCV infection. The irruption of new and potent antivirals mandate the review of the current standards of care in the HCV infected population. More inclusive and proactive treatment policies will be necessary in those individuals with substance use disorders.