Hepatits C, caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), is an infectious disease affecting over 140 million people around the world. The virus spreads by blood to blood contact, affecting the liver and causing infections, which if left untreated could lead to cancer. Intravenous drug use and blood donations have been found to be the two main causes for the spread of the virus and can also spread from an infected mother to her children. In India, it is estimated more than 8 million people suffer from HCV. A new age of HCV drugs in the market now offer a relief from the infection, which need to regulated with efficient quality checks and monitoring. Researchers from University of Queensland and Indian Institute of Science have been studying the different drugs, and combining them in different ways to come up with effective ways to administer the drug or a combination of drugs. The study showed that a combination of three drugs were more effective than that of two drugs. With the study the researchers also aim to demonstrate instantaneous inhibitory potential, a new metric developed to asses anti HIV drugs. The study also evaluates the anti HCV drugs available in the market. The study can be used to identify the best drug combinations to subscribe for patients suffering from HCV, and thus could become a guide book to combat the infectious virus.
Read time: 2 mins26 Jul 2017