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Current and future challenges in HCV: insights from an Italian experts panel

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Abstract

Background

The recent availability of direct acting antiviral drugs (DAAs) has drastically changed hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment scenarios, due to the exceedingly high rates of sustained virological response (SVR) and excellent tolerability allowing for treatment at all disease stages.

Methods

A panel of Italian experts was convened twice, in November 2016 and January 2017, to provide further support on some open issues and provide guidance for personalized HCV care, also in light of forthcoming regimens.

Results and conclusions

Treatment recommendations issued by international and national liver societies to guide clinicians in the management of HCV infection are constantly updated due to accumulating new data. Such recommendations may not be applicable to all healthcare settings for a variety of reasons. Moreover, some gaps still remain and the spectrum of patients to be treated is also evolving.

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Acknowledgements

Editorial assistance for manuscript preparation was provided by HPS, Health Publishing & Services, Srl, Italy. This work was funded by an unrestricted grant by MSD Italia Srl. The sponsor had no role in selecting the participants, reviewing the literature, defining recommendations, drafting or reviewing the paper, or in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication. All views expressed are solely those of the authors.

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  1. Infectious Diseases, Polyclinic of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy

    Massimo Andreoni

  2. Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy

    Sergio Babudieri

  3. Humanitas University and Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy

    Savino Bruno

  4. Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy

    Massimo Colombo

  5. Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Interdepartmental Centre MASVE, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    Anna L. Zignego

  6. Sezione di Gastroenterologia e Epatologia, DiBiMIS, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy

    Vito Di Marco

  7. Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

    Giovanni Di Perri

  8. Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy

    Carlo F. Perno & Massimo Puoti

  9. Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Umberto I Hospital-“Sapienza” University, Rome, Italy

    Gloria Taliani

  10. Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy

    Erica Villa

  11. Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, DiBiMIS, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy

    Antonio Craxì

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Andreoni, M., Babudieri, S., Bruno, S. et al. Current and future challenges in HCV: insights from an Italian experts panel. Infection 46, 147–163 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-017-1093-1

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