In celebration of Medscape's 25th birthday, we are highlighting key breakthroughs that have defined the last quarter century of medicine, as chosen by experts in their respective fields.
One of the most remarkable stories in medicine must be the relatively brief 25 years between the discovery of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in 1989 to its eventual cure in 2014.
HCV afflicted over 5 million Americans and was the cause of death in approximately 10,000 patients annually, the leading indication for liver transplantation, and the leading risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma, clearly signaling it as one of the era's major public health villains. Within that span of time, it is the work beginning in the mid-1990s until today that perhaps best defines the race for the HCV "cure."
In the early to mid-1990s, polymerase chain reaction techniques were just becoming commonplace for HCV diagnosis, whereas HCV genotypes were emerging as major factors determining response to interferon therapy. The sustained viral response (SVR) rates were mired at around 6%-12% for a 24- to 48-week course of three-times-weekly injection therapy. Severe side effects were common and there was a relatively high relapse rate, even in patients who responded to treatment.
By 1996, the addition of
Hepatitis C
Chronic Hepatitis C Pathology
Cutaneous Manifestations of Hepatitis C
COMMENTARY
Vanquishing Hepatitis C: A Remarkable Success Story
Donald M. Jensen, MD; Nancy S. Reau, MD
DisclosuresNovember 17, 2020
In celebration of Medscape's 25th birthday, we are highlighting key breakthroughs that have defined the last quarter century of medicine, as chosen by experts in their respective fields.
One of the most remarkable stories in medicine must be the relatively brief 25 years between the discovery of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in 1989 to its eventual cure in 2014.
HCV afflicted over 5 million Americans and was the cause of death in approximately 10,000 patients annually, the leading indication for liver transplantation, and the leading risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma, clearly signaling it as one of the era's major public health villains. Within that span of time, it is the work beginning in the mid-1990s until today that perhaps best defines the race for the HCV "cure."
In the early to mid-1990s, polymerase chain reaction techniques were just becoming commonplace for HCV diagnosis, whereas HCV genotypes were emerging as major factors determining response to interferon therapy. The sustained viral response (SVR) rates were mired at around 6%-12% for a 24- to 48-week course of three-times-weekly injection therapy. Severe side effects were common and there was a relatively high relapse rate, even in patients who responded to treatment.
By 1996, the addition of
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Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.
Cite this: Vanquishing Hepatitis C: A Remarkable Success Story - Medscape - Nov 17, 2020.
Tables
References
Authors and Disclosures
Authors and Disclosures
Authors
Donald M. Jensen, MD
Professor; Senior Attending Physician, Department of Medicine, Division of Digestive Diseases, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
Disclosure: Donald M. Jensen, MD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
Nancy S. Reau, MD
Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University; Section Chief, Hepatology; Associate Director of Organ Transplant, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
Disclosure: Nancy S. Reau, MD, has disclosed the following financial relationships:
Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: AbbVie Inc.; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; Merck & Co., Inc.; Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: American Board of Internal Medicine