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  • Perspective
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Breakthroughs in hepatitis C research: from discovery to cure

Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology volume 19, pages 533–550 (2022)Cite this article

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Abstract

In the 1970s, an unknown virus was suspected for documented cases of transfusion-associated hepatitis, a phenomenon called non-A, non-B hepatitis. In 1989, the infectious transmissible agent was identified and named hepatitis C virus (HCV) and, soon enough, the first diagnostic HCV antibody test was developed, which led to a dramatic decrease in new infections. Today, HCV infection remains a global health burden and a major cause of liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and liver transplantation. However, tremendous advances have been made over the decades, and HCV became the first curable, chronic viral infection. The introduction of direct antiviral agents revolutionized antiviral treatment, leading to viral eradication in more than 98% of all patients infected with HCV. This Perspective discusses the history of HCV research, which reads like a role model for successful translational research: starting from a clinical observation, specific therapeutic agents were developed, which finally were implemented in national and global elimination programmes.

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Fig. 1: Major breakthroughs in HCV history.
Fig. 2: Impact of different measures on the incidence of post-transfusion NANBH.
Fig. 3: Organization of the HCV genome.
Fig. 4: HCV life cycle.
Fig. 5: Evolution of HCV therapy.
Fig. 6: Cascade of care.

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  1. Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany

    Michael P. Manns

  2. Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany

    Benjamin Maasoumy

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M.P.M. received speaker and/or consulting fees and/or grant or research support from AbbVie, BMS, Gilead, Merck/MSD and Janssen. B.M. received speaker and/or consulting fees from Abbott Molecular, Astellas, Intercept, Falk, AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Fujirebio, Janssen-Cilag, Merck/MSD and Roche. He also received research support from Abbott Molecular and Roche.

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Manns, M.P., Maasoumy, B. Breakthroughs in hepatitis C research: from discovery to cure. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 19, 533–550 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41575-022-00608-8

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