PhD defence by Kuan Wang

From Established Therapies to Emerging Candidates: Antiviral Activity and Resistance Barriers of Direct-Acting Antivirals against Hepatitis C Virus

Assessment Committee:
Associate professor Uffe Vest (Chairperson)
Professor Ole Schmeltz Søgaard
Dr Sofia Perez del Pulgar Gallart

Supervisors:
Associate Professor Santseharay Ramirez Almeida
Associate Professor Kenn Holmbeck

Department:
Department of Immunology and Microbiology

Graduate Programme:
Immunology and Infectious Diseases

Place:
Hvidovre Hospital, Room: Auditorium 3+4, Kettegård Allé 36, 2650 Hvidovre

Email address to gain access to the thesis: zpc435@sund.ku.dk
You will either receive a copy of the thesis or be informed where you can read a physical copy.

Short description of the thesis:
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a global health challenge despite the success of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). This PhD thesis investigates how HCV develops resistance to antiviral treatment and how resistance pathways differ across drug classes and viral genotypes. Using advanced HCV cell culture models, the studies characterize resistance-associated substitutions, their impact on viral fitness, and the barrier to resistance of current DAA regimens. In addition, the thesis evaluates remdesivir as a potential anti-HCV treatment and demonstrates potent antiviral activity in vitro and in vivo, together with a relatively high barrier to resistance. The findings contribute to a better understanding of HCV antiviral resistance and may support future antiviral treatment strategies.