Inventors:
Robert T. Striker - Madison WI, US
Dan S. Poole - Madison WI, US
Fiona Fernandes - Madison WI, US
International Classification:
A61K 38/21, C12Q 1/70, C07H 21/04, C12Q 1/68, A61P 31/12
US Classification:
424 854, 435 5, 536 231, 435 6
Abstract:
Method for determining susceptibility of a hepatitis C virus (HCV) in a patient, especially one who received a liver transplant, to cyclosporine A (CsA), comprising determining the nucleic acid sequence of HCV, and comparing the viral nucleic acid sequence to that of a wild-type, CsA susceptible strain, wherein the existence of at least one mutation in the viral genome is indicative that the virus is resistant to CsA. Also provided are isolated polynucleotide molecules comprising one or more mutations, an array of such molecules, a kit comprising at least one isolated polynucleotide. A method of monitoring the development CsA resistance in a HCV patient, and managing treatment regimens accordingly is further provided. The present invention further provides CsA resistant HCV replicons and method of using them for anti-viral drug screening.