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- Hepatitis C virus
- genotype 3
- sustained virological response
- Debio 025
- cyclophilin inhibitor
- genotype
- hepatitis C
We read with interest the paper by Himmelsbach and colleagues discussing the role of sorafenib in blocking hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication in vitro.1 Further studies are required to delineate the potential antiviral efficacy either in combination with the standard of care (Peg-IFN and ribavirin) or as monotherapy. Currently, a number of new antiviral drugs are being investigated in order to improve sustained virological response (SVR) rates and/or reduce treatment duration in chronic hepatitis C (CHC). However, to date none of the new small molecule drugs appear effective against genotype 3 such that at the present time patients with genotype 3 infection have no other options.
Debio 025 is a selective cyclophilin inhibitor that has previously demonstrated antiviral activity against the hepatitis C virus both in vitro and in vivo.2 3 Results of a phase Ib study indicate that Debio 025 has an important additive anti-HCV effect when coadministered with Peg-interferon (IFN)α-2a to treatment-naive patients …