Innovative Treatment for Hepatitis C
Apr. 24, 2017
In a breakthrough discovery, a Japanese research group has developed a successful new method for optimizing the combination of drugs used to treat HCV.
One of the principal investigators, Shingo Iwami, associate professor in the Faculty of Science, Kyushu University, has contributed to the study using mathematical modelling and computer simulation.
Iwami said, “It has become more and more important for researchers in all fields to use data analysis or data mining, which requires the expertise of professionals in applied mathematics. In this study, we have developed a quantitative analysis method for assessing in vitro the antiviral drug efficacy of both single agents and drug combinations. The method is useful for optimizing drug usage in preclinical settings, improving drug-resistance management and the cost-effectiveness of drug treatments. This method is not limited to HCV, but can also be applied to other infectious diseases requiring multidrug treatment.”
The research was supported by two national funding agencies, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and Japan Agency for Medical Research Development (AMED) and the results were published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on February 7, 2017.