Hepatitis C Support Group

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.

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ImKramer 02/13/2013

Studies Point to Advent of IFN-Free Regimens for Hepatitis C Infection

I am more optimistic on when these drugs will be available than
Dr. Garcia-Tsao's "two to three years" based on clinical trials wrapping up now and approval this year. IMK

http://www.gastroendonews.com//ViewArticle.aspx?ses=ogst&d=Hepatology+in+Focus&d_id=481&i=ISSUE%3a+February+2013&i_id=929&a_id=22552

Trissa01 02/13/2013

Got distracted while reading but the IFN free is a done deal in my book.
No way, no how.
Brought back a memory of freakin' out when I vomited all my riba, LOL.
Is that the body sending a mesg or what?

ImKramer 02/13/2013

I'm keeping our dear Sandydo in mind when I say that but this Dr. saying that it will be two or three years and only for low to no fibrosis ..well that doesn't fly with me.
Sandy is cirrhotic and was undie in four weeks on Gilead Rx. ..AND they are going to FDA for approval this year so I think this Dr. is being overly cautious with her time predictions.
Remember Telaprevir was not supposed to be available til 2013?
Too many sick folks, too much burden on health care and too much money to be made to take sweet time.

Brigid13 02/13/2013

Shadow, I was going to ask PTriss the same Q.

ImKramer 02/13/2013

I think a message might have been garbled here. I don't see anything that suggests new drugs are anywhere near as problematic with sides as Interferon.
Perhaps that some of the trials still use Ribavirin which is still nasty but not as bad as INF

Trissa01 02/13/2013

Clarifying, IFN free only way to go! Sorry for confusion.
Would not consider interferon no way ever again, it is history anyway..

bestshot 02/13/2013

I hope you're right IMK!!

erniecoolcat 02/17/2013

Cool news. I'm glad that the Ribavirin is seemingly not all that critical either at this point in research. Would be great to have many new options. I understood what you meant Ptriss. :-)

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