Hepatitis C Direct-acting Antiviral Agents Changing the Paradigm of Hepatitis C Treatment in HIV-infected Patients

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver disease is a major source of mortality in HIV-infected patients. Approximately one third of all patients with HIV are co-infected with HCV. Patients co-infected with HIV/HCV have shown lower rates of sustained virologic response with pegylated-interferon and weight-based ribavirin as well as more rapid progression of fibrosis than those with HCV mono-infection. Several direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs), developed originally for HCV mono-infection, are being reevaluated for HIV/HCV co-infection. In addition, entirely new DAAs are being developed, including, interferon-free regimens with fewer side effects, allowing novel treatment opportunities for difficult-to-treat patients. In order for HCV DAAs to be successfully used in the HIV/HCV co-infected population several hurdles must be overcome, including adverse event management and drug-drug interactions. The aim of this review is to discuss the results of trials for new HCV therapies being developed for HIV/HCV co-infected patients and the impact of interferon-free regimens on treatment in the future.