Hepatitis C virus: Here comes all-oral treatment

■ ■ ABSTRACT Treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is evolving rapidly. The approval in 2013 of two new direct- acting antivirals—sofosbuvir (a polymerase inhibitor) and simeprevir (a second-generation protease inhibi- tor)—opens the door for an all-oral regimen, potentially avoiding interferon and its harsh side effects. Other direct-acting antivirals are under development. ■ ■ KEY POINTS