Question

Which of the following is a recently preferred combination of drugs for the treatment of patients suffering from Hepatitis C.?

• A. Interferon and ribavirin
• B. Interferon and zidovudine
• C. Glecaprevir and pibrentasvir
• D. Sofosbuvir and Stavudine

Hint:

HCV Suffix Guide: - "-previr": NS3/4A Protease Inhibitor (e.g., Glecaprevir) - "-asvir": NS5A Inhibitor (e.g., Pibrentasvir) - "-buvir": NS5B RNA Polymerase Inhibitor (e.g., Sofosbuvir) Modern preferred options combine these classes for interferon-free therapy.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: The therapeutic management of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) has shifted from interferon-based regimens to Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs). Modern DAA regimens offer high cure rates (sustained virologic response), shorter treatment durations, and fewer side effects. These combinations typically pair drugs with different mechanisms of action:
• NS3/4A Protease Inhibitors: (indicated by the suffix *-previr*) prevent viral replication by blocking viral polyprotein processing.
• NS5A Inhibitors: (indicated by the suffix *-asvir*) inhibit viral assembly and secretion.
• NS5B Polymerase Inhibitors: (indicated by the suffix *-buvir*) block viral RNA synthesis.

Step 1: Identify the modern preferred combination.
Glecaprevir and pibrentasvir is a standard, fixed-dose combination DAA regimen. It provides pangenotypic coverage, meaning it is highly effective across all major HCV genotypes without requiring co-administration of interferon, making it the preferred contemporary choice.

Step 2: Eliminate older or inappropriate options.
* Interferon and ribavirin represents an older, less tolerated treatment approach with significant side effects. * Zidovudine and Stavudine are nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) used exclusively for HIV infections, not HCV management.