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

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.