Are small molecule scavenger receptor BI antagonists potent HCV entry inhibitors?
These results suggest that the ITX compounds inhibit HCV infection with a mechanism of action distinct from other HCV therapies under development. Since ITX 5061 has already been evaluated in over 280 patients with good pharmacokinetic and safety profiles, it warrants proof-of-concept clinical studies in HCV infected patients.
The association of RE, a rare entity, with a comorbid autoimmune disease raises the possibility of shared mechanisms of susceptibility, including common immunogenetic and/or environmental risk factors.