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Curing the preponderance of patients treated for hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of medicine’s most notable milestones, but research in this area appears to be grinding to a halt, according to a commentary in the first 2017 issue of Hepatology.
With HCV dominating the subspecialty of hepatology for the past 25 years, some scientists believe that research should turn its attention and monetary resources to more urgent needs.
Other experts disagree with that viewpoint. “The mission for HCV eradication is far from accomplished,” Hugo R. Rosen, MD, FACP, FAASLD, head of gastroenterology and hepatology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Denver, noted in the commentary.
“DAAs have revolutionized HCV treatment, but HCV will still be an important problem,” Dr. Rosen told Contagion®. Some unanswered questions require additional study despite funding uncertainty.
HCV is the world’s most prevalent blood-borne viral infection for which a vaccine does not exist. To eliminate HCV infection on a global scale, vaccine development needs to become a public health priority.
– See more at: http://www.contagionlive.com/news/hepatitis-c-virus-and-the-dwindling-of-research-funding#sthash.YEye4eZv.dpuf