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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Protease inhibitors for Treatment of Hep C

deleted_user
deleted_user
One of our members mentioned Vertex (which is the drug company that markets VX-950) so I thought id post an update about this experimental drug for Hep C awaiting fast track approval.
VX-950 is a protease inhibtor (think of treatments we have for HIV) being evaluated as monotherapy. It has been shown to result in significant reduction in HCV RNA and serum ALT levels
There were studies a couple years ago on a different protease inhibitor that were halted early after being found to cause cardiac toxicity in animals.
The enthusiasm for this class of agents however has been renewed with the development of three new drugs, NM283, VX-950, and SCH 503034. Each of these agents have been shown to significantly suppress HCV RNA when used either alone or in combination with PEGIFN. Given prior experience with these agents, and the early phase of their trials, therapy with anti-HCV protease inhibitors should be approached with caution. Further studies of their use in combination therapy with interferon or triple therapy with interferon and ribavirin need to be evaluated.
Dr O.
deleted_user
deleted_user
You are right. Vertex trials (phase 2) are ongoing at some hospitals. I was screened to go into the Univ of CO one. The phase 1 was without Ribavirin, and they found that even though most of the test supjects cleared, the HCV virus mutated. Vertex website has info about the stage 3 trials that are coming up. Phase 2 criteria was treatment naive, I dont know about phase 3 criteria. I was told to remain treatment naive, hold off on starting interferon, which makes me think they know more than they can say at this point, and THAT sounds good!
Hugs
deleted_user
deleted_user
My Nurse practitioner was telling me about this recently. I go to a Infectious disease clinic here in Tacoma, WA. She wants me to consider treatment seriously. My numbers are 3 in 4 so since I have plans to travel for Christmas we are waiting till after the first of the year. I have read nothing and heard from folks I have met that treatment is very hard on you. She said I haven\'t heard the good stories?? I would really like to hear something positive about treatment. I can\'t stand to feel bad and my job is very physical, I am 56 and I like my job because it keeps me in shape and gives me energy. SO now what am I faced with in the future with treatment?? I had been taking supplements and for 7 years my blood work and biopsies were good till now all of sudden I went from 1 of 4 to 3 of 4. I would really like to hear some positive stories. I am blessed with good insurance but if I can\'t work I will lose that in 6 months. Talk to me.. and thank you all for being here. I have no family but some good friends who are willing to help me through this, hopefully I won\'t put them through hell...
deleted_user
deleted_user
Sorry I started talking about this new treatment and went on about going on treatment....I would like to read more about this new treatment they are looking at, since it is working for HIV and cancer I hear?? Is that correct??
deleted_user
deleted_user
Protease inhibitors are used for HIV treatment but it is a different target in this drug our memeber is using for Hep C...so in other words the class is referred to as \"protease inhibitors\" but they have different targets..dont want to bore everyone with the FINE details but appreciate that this is an amazing class of drugs used for HIV and now Hep C...
Dr O.
deleted_user
deleted_user
bump
deleted_user
deleted_user
WTH?
JanMichelle2002
JanMichelle2002
Ditto
deleted_user
deleted_user
i've been to meetings. they're good but here in houston there are just not enough meetings to limit oneself to just this one organization. however, i would suggest that women check them out.
deleted_user
deleted_user
what does that mean?
JoeTex
JoeTex
It is a recommendation post. I presume an accidental post. UTMB is the University of Texas Medical Branch. galveston Texas
krm
krm
ok
deleted_user
deleted_user
I don't like this at ALL. In this procedure, instead of radiating the whole breast, they radiate ONLY where the lump/tumor was found. That would have been tragic in my case, since there were cancer cells found OUTSIDE the tumor area. So had it been me having that procedure, it would have come back immediately and spread while I'm thinking that I'm fine!

No thanks. I'd MUCH prefer the whole breast being radiated, and go for 6-7 weeks. At least I'm not signing my own death warrant. Thanks for the article tho. God bless. Hugs, Lee
deleted_user
deleted_user
I also had cancer cells around the tumor that was removed. I guess it all depends on the tumor and the prognosis. If you want to more informed why not have the gene test that tests for the gene that causes breast cancer it is called the BRAC gene.????? My radiation treatment was 5xs a week for 6 weeks...I had volunteers form the American Cancer Society that gave me rides that was a very nice thing for them to do wasnt it?????
deleted_user
deleted_user
I was told about this film when I wasn't yet sure about my dx. I really didn't want to deal with the controversy surrounding a Lyme dx. However, now that I have the dx, I wish EVERYONE could see this film and appreciate just how important this issue is for each and everyone of us! The info is excellent and the beauty of the filmn itself is unsurpassed. For anyone dealing with Lyme in any way it is a must see!
deleted_user
deleted_user
See this CNN article and video clip that is related to the film.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/07/06/lymedisease.treatment/index.html#cnnSTCText
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