In the treatment of hepatitis C, an evolution has been taken place from the 1990’s to now. Physicians, Infectiologists and other specialists use a percentage variable called the SVR (=Sustained Virological Response) to measure the percentage of healthy people after a certain treatment in a certain period of time.

 

In 1990 to 1995, physicians usually prescribed IFN to the patients. The SVR of this period was 2-7%. Later on, from 1995 to 2000, Ribavirin was also prescribed together with IFN. Ribavirin increases the efficiency of a signalling protein which is released by cells in response to a virus or other pathogens. This protein is called the alpha interferon. The increased efficiency of the function of the alpha interferon will eventually cause the HCV (=hepatitis C virus) to stop growing. The SVR increased to 16-26% in this period of time. From about 2000 to 2005, Ribavirin and Peg-IFN were being prescribed. Again, the SVR increased. In this period of time to a percentage of 42-54%. A few years later, from 2005 to about 2012, the SVR continued to increase. This time to a percentage of 59 to 79%. This is due to the combination treatment of RBV, Peg-IFN and DAA (Direct Acting Antivirals). The molecules of this medication target certain proteins of the HCV without a structure. The proteins without a structure are most vulnerable and so this will cause the multiplication of the virus to stop.