Ledipasvir: a novel synthetic antiviral for the treatment of HCV infection

Introduction: About 150,000,000 people worldwide are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV infection can lead to liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and death. Treatment was based previously only on pegylated interferon combined with other antiviral drugs. Recently, the first interferon-free combination for patients with genotype 2 or 3 was approved in the USA and Europe, and several molecules are in an advanced phase of clinical development. Areas covered: This review focuses on the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and tolerability of ledipasvir, an inhibitor of HCV nonstructural 5A protein. The authors also highlight the drug's safety and resistance profile. Expert opinion: The pharmacokinetic profile and antiviral activity of ledipasvir are ideal. However, given the high rate of natural and drug-related ledipasvir-resistant HCV mutations, ledipasvir is administered in combination regimens with other antiviral drugs, which resulted in a cure rate up to 100%. While ledipasvir is ...