Elbasvir/grazoprevir: A review of the latest agent in the fight against hepatitis C

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is estimated to affect up to 150 million people worldwide. Despite worldwide prevalence, treatment modalities prior to 2011 remained suboptimal, with low virologic response rates and intolerable side effect profiles. Fortunately, the landscape of treatment for chronic hepatitis C has rapidly evolved since the introduction of HCV NS3/4 protease inhibitors in 2011. Elbasvir, a NS5A inhibitor, combined with grazoprevir, a NS3/4A protease inhibitor, is the latest FDA-approved therapy for patients with genotype 1 or 4 chronic hepatitis C, with or without compensated cirrhosis. This review will focus on the current literature and clinical evidence supporting elbasvir/grazoprevir as first-line therapy in patients with genotypes 1 and 4 chronic hepatitis C.