Answer :
Final answer:
miR-122 inhibitors like miravirsen do have a role in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C by specifically targeting the virus and suppressing its replication. These agents are used in combination with other direct-acting antivirals to effectively combat HCV.
Explanation:
The treatment options for chronic hepatitis C (HCV) have evolved considerably, with the development of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) such as protease inhibitors. These DAAs aim to clear the virus from the patient's body. One class of these therapies includes miR-122 inhibitors, such as miravirsen, which specifically target a liver-produced microRNA essential for HCV replication. By suppressing this microRNA, miravirsen can exert an antiviral effect against HCV. Therapies like miravirsen provide an additional mechanism of action in the fight against HCV, complementing the inhibition of viral processes provided by other DAAs like protease inhibitors and polymerase inhibitors such as sofosbuvir, which are frequently used in combination with ribavirin.
miR-122 inhibitors actually interfere with the life cycle of the virus, preventing its replication, thus they do have a role in the treatment of HCV—making option (b) the correct answer to the question: miR-122 inhibitors specifically target HCV and are used in treatment.
