The combination therapies like those used for patients with HIV infection may be the best way to treat the hepatitis C virus (HCV), say the researchers at the University of Leeds.
The study of a protein called P7 revealed that the differences in the genetic coding of proteins between virus strains - known as genotypes - change the sensitivity of the virus to drugs that block its function.
The P7 protein helps the virus spread throughout the body and is a promising target for new drug treatment being tested against Hepatitis C. His role was discovered in 2003 by Dr. Steve Griffin of the professors Dave Rowlands and Mark Harris. In laboratory tests their latest research shows that inhibition of protein P7 with medication can prevent the spread of hepatitis C.
"One of the challenges in finding the treatment of viruses is their ability to constantly change their genetic makeup," says Professor Harris. "Our research shows that there may be a solution for everyone with the approach to HCV treatment with inhibitors of protein P7 in the future. We believe that the combination of treatments will be much more efficient because it takes into account the variability protein P7.
About 180 million people worldwide are infected with hepatitis C causes inflammation of the liver and can lead to liver failure or liver cancer. It spreads through contact with infected blood or other bodily fluids, there is no vaccine against the disease that is largely asymptomatic in its early stages. The disease is currently treated with broad spectrum, with no specific antiviral drugs. Source: ScienceDaily (Dec. 2008)
The study of a protein called P7 revealed that the differences in the genetic coding of proteins between virus strains - known as genotypes - change the sensitivity of the virus to drugs that block its function.
The P7 protein helps the virus spread throughout the body and is a promising target for new drug treatment being tested against Hepatitis C. His role was discovered in 2003 by Dr. Steve Griffin of the professors Dave Rowlands and Mark Harris. In laboratory tests their latest research shows that inhibition of protein P7 with medication can prevent the spread of hepatitis C.
"One of the challenges in finding the treatment of viruses is their ability to constantly change their genetic makeup," says Professor Harris. "Our research shows that there may be a solution for everyone with the approach to HCV treatment with inhibitors of protein P7 in the future. We believe that the combination of treatments will be much more efficient because it takes into account the variability protein P7.
About 180 million people worldwide are infected with hepatitis C causes inflammation of the liver and can lead to liver failure or liver cancer. It spreads through contact with infected blood or other bodily fluids, there is no vaccine against the disease that is largely asymptomatic in its early stages. The disease is currently treated with broad spectrum, with no specific antiviral drugs. Source: ScienceDaily (Dec. 2008)
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