Persistence of hepatitis C virus contributes to chronic infection, which can lead to liver fibrosis and even liver cancer. Different factors, such as host genetics and immunity and viral immune evasion strategies, account for the outcome of the infection and the patient response to antivirals. This Perspective discusses how the interaction of these factors modulates viral immunity and how they might be used to identify the key targets to mount an effective immune response that will clear the virus and improve drug response.
- Stacy M Horner
- Michael Gale Jr