Research points to new therapy for HCV

Combination therapies similar to those used for HIV patients may be the best way of treating hepatitis C virus, say researchers from the University of Leeds, UK. A study of a protein called p7, has revealed that differences in the genetic coding of the protein between virus strains - known as genotypes - alter the sensitivity of the virus to drugs that block its function.

The p7 protein assists the spread of HCV around the body and is a promising target for new drug treatments for the virus. Its role was discovered in 2003 by Steve Griffin with Professors Mark Harris and Dave Rowlands of the University's Faculty of Biological Sciences. In laboratory tests their latest research shows that inhibiting p7 with drugs can prevent the spread of HCV.

"One of the challenges in finding treatments for viruses is their ability to constantly change their genetic makeup," says Prof Harris. "Our research shows there can't be a one-size-fits-all approach to treating HCV with p7 inhibitors in the future. We believe combination treatments will work much more efficiently, as they take into account the variability of the p7 protein," he added.