Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus in HIV/ HCV Co-Infection

Around 5-10 million people present HIV/ HCV co-infection. The treatment regimen currently recommended in this population is based on pegylated interferon and ribavirin, with a success rate below 30% and multiple side effects. Various clinical trials have also explored different interferon free regimens in patients with HIV/HCV co-infection, proving that Direct Acting Antivirals (DAAs) can induce a sustained viral response over 95%. Moreover co-infected HIV/ HCV patients receiving HCV treatment could further benefit from HCV clearance as this allows the preservation of liver function, attenuates the harm effect of multiple hepatotoxic therapies and lowers the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Nevertheless, the administration of DAAs in HIV patients requires careful monitoring and treatment considerations on various issues such as variable adherence in some categories of patients, insufficient drug interactions or the high cost of therapy. The current article is an overview of the currently antiviral C hepatitis drugs studied in HIV/ HCV co-infected individuals.