Pegylated interferon (IFN) α-2a or 2b in combination with ribavirin for children aged 3 years and older is the standard treatment for paediatric chronic hepatitis C. This treatment regimen was developed fi...Pegylated interferon (IFN) α-2a or 2b in combination with ribavirin for children aged 3 years and older is the standard treatment for paediatric chronic hepatitis C. This treatment regimen was developed firstly in adults. In recent years, a number of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) are under development for treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. These agents block viral replication inhibiting directly one of the several steps of HCV lifecycle. DAAs are classified into several categories based on their molecular target: HCV NS3/4A protease inhibitors, HCV NS5B polymerase inhibitors and HCV NS5A inhibitors. Other promising compounds are cyclophilin A inhibitors, mi-RNA122 and IFN-λ. Several new drugs associations will be developed in the near future starting from the actual standard of care. IFN-based and IFN-free regimens are being studied in adults. In this constantly evolving scenario new drug regimens targeted and suitable for children would be possible in the next future. Especially for children, it is crucial to identify the right combination of drugs with the highest potency, barrier to resistance and the best safety profile.展开更多
The purpose of the present review is to summarise the current knowledge on the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the interferon L3 (IFNL3) gene and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in chil...The purpose of the present review is to summarise the current knowledge on the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the interferon L3 (IFNL3) gene and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in children. Many studies in adults have demonstrated that genetic variation in IFNL3 is a strong predictor of the virological response in treatment-naive patients with HCV genotype 1 who were treated with Pegylated-IFN-α and ribavirin. Genetic variation in IFNL3 is also associated with the spontaneous clearance of HCV. Thus far, few paediatric studies have explored the association between variations in the IFNL3 gene and either spontaneous or treatment-induced clearance of HCV. The CC genotype of the rs12979860 SNP is associated with the spontaneous clearance of HCV in children independently of HCV genotype. Four paediatric studies have shown that both the CC genotype of the rs12979860 SNP and the TT genotype of the rs8099917 SNP are associated with the treatment-induced (IFN monotherapy and Pegylated-IFN-α and ribavirin association) clearance of HCV, while the rs12980275 SNP did not affect the virological response. The possible role of IFNL3 gene variation as a pre-treatment and on-treatment predictor of virological response in children is highly attractive but still undetermined. Further paediatric studies are needed to evaluate if testing for SNPs in IFNL3, either alone or together with other predictors of response to treatment, could be used to direct treatment strategies, including an avoidance of unnecessary protease inhibitor therapy and the duration of treatment.展开更多
文摘Pegylated interferon (IFN) α-2a or 2b in combination with ribavirin for children aged 3 years and older is the standard treatment for paediatric chronic hepatitis C. This treatment regimen was developed firstly in adults. In recent years, a number of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) are under development for treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. These agents block viral replication inhibiting directly one of the several steps of HCV lifecycle. DAAs are classified into several categories based on their molecular target: HCV NS3/4A protease inhibitors, HCV NS5B polymerase inhibitors and HCV NS5A inhibitors. Other promising compounds are cyclophilin A inhibitors, mi-RNA122 and IFN-λ. Several new drugs associations will be developed in the near future starting from the actual standard of care. IFN-based and IFN-free regimens are being studied in adults. In this constantly evolving scenario new drug regimens targeted and suitable for children would be possible in the next future. Especially for children, it is crucial to identify the right combination of drugs with the highest potency, barrier to resistance and the best safety profile.
文摘The purpose of the present review is to summarise the current knowledge on the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the interferon L3 (IFNL3) gene and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in children. Many studies in adults have demonstrated that genetic variation in IFNL3 is a strong predictor of the virological response in treatment-naive patients with HCV genotype 1 who were treated with Pegylated-IFN-α and ribavirin. Genetic variation in IFNL3 is also associated with the spontaneous clearance of HCV. Thus far, few paediatric studies have explored the association between variations in the IFNL3 gene and either spontaneous or treatment-induced clearance of HCV. The CC genotype of the rs12979860 SNP is associated with the spontaneous clearance of HCV in children independently of HCV genotype. Four paediatric studies have shown that both the CC genotype of the rs12979860 SNP and the TT genotype of the rs8099917 SNP are associated with the treatment-induced (IFN monotherapy and Pegylated-IFN-α and ribavirin association) clearance of HCV, while the rs12980275 SNP did not affect the virological response. The possible role of IFNL3 gene variation as a pre-treatment and on-treatment predictor of virological response in children is highly attractive but still undetermined. Further paediatric studies are needed to evaluate if testing for SNPs in IFNL3, either alone or together with other predictors of response to treatment, could be used to direct treatment strategies, including an avoidance of unnecessary protease inhibitor therapy and the duration of treatment.
