VIRAL HEPATITIS CAUSED BY HCV: A DISEASE STILL INTRACTABLE?

The Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global health concern. More than 70% of infections are life-threatening as it persists for a lifetime and leads to liver cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The 30% of infections may get-ridden and provide long lasting protection. As the treatment with IFN- α and RBV therapy causes side effects, IFN- free DAA regimens has been developed recently and reported as beneficial. Nevertheless, vaccination would be the only way to eradicate the infection and to reduce the burden of HCV-related disorders. This article provides an overview of the virus-host immune response, vaccine development strategies, recent medications that have been licensed and delivered and vaccine development progress. The fundamental reason to develop the vaccination is to activate and to enhance the humans' natural defenses against HCV and thus preventing life threatening illness. Indeed, vaccination has proven to be the most effective and cost-efficient technique for preventing infections and their devastating consequences.