Cell-based and animal models for hepatitis B and C viruses.

Reliable cell-based assays and animal models have been developed for evaluating agents against hepatitis B virus. Although much progress has been made, in vitro and in vivo assays for hepatitis C virus are still on the horizon. Advances towards establishing inexpensive and reliable experimental models have accelerated the development of therapeutic modalities for these life-threatening viral infections. The characterization of well-defined viral targets coupled with improved molecular diagnostic technologies have illuminated this field.