HCV combos: I've stated previously that some are too narrowly focused on all-oral combos. IMO, the HCV "Grail" is, in order of importance:
1. Meaningful cure rate with any combo treatment, oral or injectable, (> 90%)
2. Meaningful cure rate of short duration (< 3 months)
3. Meaningful cure rate/duration without interferon and SAE's
4. Vaccination/cure
I'm speaking from the standpoint of a Genotype 1 patient. The only grail is a short duration cure with any combo that is both effective and short, preferably with few to no SAE's.
Interferon is not the chief problem here; cure rate/treatment duration is. Elimination of interferon would be a bonus. I would add that Ribavirin has additional problems concerning tolerance..
JMHO.