Blocking HCV entry as potential antiviral therapy

Infections with HCV represent a major global health problem. End-stage liver disease caused by chronic HCV infection is the most common indication for liver transplantation. Limited efficacy and severity of side effects hamper the use of pegylated interferon combined with ribavirin in a liver transplant setting. Therefore, new therapeutic options should be made available. Viral entry, the first step of the viral life cycle, represents an interesting target for therapeutic intervention. Understanding the mechanisms of viral entry is necessary to define the viral and cellular factors involved. In this review, we summarize these factors, highlight their potential as therapeutic targets and review the current (pre)clinical development of molecules that interfere with HCV entry.