Advances in antiviral therapy targeting to hepatitis C virus NS3/4A protease

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome is of high variation, which results in persistent infection of HCV and increases the incidence of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Following the successful paradigm established for HIV protease inhibitors, HCV NS3-4A serine protease has been selected as the main target for the development of small molecule antiviral agents. In this article, we review recent progress in the discovery and development of HCV NS3-4A protease inhibitors, and discuss their antiviral activities, pharmacokinetic properties, side effects and resistance profiles. Key words: Hepatitis C virus; Serine proteinase inhibitors; NS3-4A protease; Drug resistance