Exploring Novel Therapeutic Approaches for Hepatitis C: Targeting Host-Virus Interactions to Develop Antiviral Strategies
Dr. Arooj Sattar 1, Dr. Uzma Riaz2, Alia Rehman 3, Shazia Yousaf 4 ,Dr. Zaib Farooq 5 , Zunaira
Qayyum 6
1Assistant Professor Pathology, Central Park Medical College Lahore
2Associate Professor Pharmacology, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical College Mirpur
3Assistant Professor Pharmacology, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Medical College
Mirpur AJK
Volume 12-4
Received: Jun 11, 2023, Accepted: Jan 29, 2024, Published: 23 June 2024
Abstract
This review will focus thematically on some of the newer therapeutic strategies for HCV infection: host approved targets of virus host interactions. Aims; To describe the potential benefits and challenges of these radical approaches including host-targeted therapies (HTTs), repurposed drugs, and RNA interference (RNAi) strategies. The current understanding of the structure and life cycle of HCV, existing therapeutic measures and also the vicissitudes in the interaction between HCV and host cellular factors are reviewed here through a literature search and by evidence from recent studies. Because host-virus interaction proteins are generally not expected to mutate in viruses, therapeutics that target such interactions may also be less likely to induce the development of viral resistance (26) and actively promote broad-spectrum antiviral effects. Preclinical and clinical results for PIs, FTPs and other host targeted therapies including inhibitors of the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway and lipid biosynthesis enzymes have shown promise. A combination of repurposed drugs such as statins and metformin, along with RNA interference targeting those host genes critical for the viral replication can provide a bonafide strategy to reduce HCV RNA levels and enhance therapeutic efficacy. Unfortunately, work still needs to be done for these therapies to reach their full potential as they suffer from off-target effects, toxicity, and regulatory problems. Keywords: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Antiviral Strategies, Host-virus Interactions, Host targeted therapies (HTTs), Repurposed Drugs, RNA Interference (RNAi), CRISPR/Cas9, Gene Editing, Personalized Medicine, Viral Resistance, Clinical Trials.
