Beclabuvir for the treatment of hepatitis C

Abstract

Introduction: About 185,000,000 people worldwide are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Currently, the most successful HCV infection antiviral therapies reduce the chance of progression towards the advanced phases of the hepatopathy (liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and death). Recently, however, several new direct-acting antivirals against HCV are available or are in an advanced phase of clinical development.

Areas covered: This review focuses on beclabuvir, an allosteric non-nucleotide inhibitor of HCV polymerase. The article covers its pharmacokinetics, mechanism of action, in addition to its tolerability and safety profile as well as its resistance pattern.

Expert opinion: The pharmacokinetic, efficacy and tolerability profile of beclabuvir, as well as its barrier to resistance, are very favorable. In particular, the combination of beclabuvir with asunaprevir and daclatasvir achieves very high rates of viral eradication (about 90%) in patients infected with HCV genotype 1, which is the most common genotype worldwide. Therefore, beclabuvir represents a powerful weapon against HCV infection and has to be considered an optimal option in tailored IFN-free combinations.

Keywords:

• allosteric
• antivirals
• BMS-791325
• direct-acting antiviral agent
• eradication
• hepatitis C virus
• IFN-free combinations
• NS5B polymerase inhibitors

Declaration of interest

I Gentile have received a grant from Gilead Sciences (In the Framework of Fellowship Program) for Hepatitis B. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.