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.
We've had a few "bad news" articles posted in the last few weeks, so here's some better news! I'm pretty sure the protease inhibitors are the start of something important in our fight. Maybe it's the cavalry coming, eh? (Hurry guys...)
Hepatitis Central
January 6, 2010
2009 Progress Likely to Change HCV Treatment to Triple Therapy
Looking back on the research and development of 2009, the scientific community witnessed unprecedented innovation in the fight against the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Based on what has emerged this past year in the pharmaceutical industry, we can expect great strides in HCV treatments well into this new decade.
With an estimated 170 million people worldwide with chronic Hepatitis C, this virus has emerged as one of the most problematic infections of the 21st century. For nearly half of those treated for the most common strain of HCV (genotype 1), the standard antiviral drugs (a combination of interferon and ribavirin) do not succeed in clearing the virus from the liver. Those who are unable to clear HCV are at risk of their liver disease advancing to debilitating - or even fatal consequences.
The length of time people will have to wait for new HCV medication options depends on the outcomes of drugs currently in Phase III clinical trials. While interferon is a non-specific immune system booster and ribavirin is an antiviral medication, the strategy of most of the up and coming HCV drugs is to undermine the virus' ability to replicate.
The two drugs that are furthest along in development are the HCV protease inhibitors telaprevir and boceprevir. Right now, both of these drugs are being evaluated as a triple therapy, taken alongside pegylated interferon plus ribavirin.
Triple therapy with telaprevir - In 2009, clinical trial data demonstrated that 69 percent of genotype 1 treatment-nave patients cleared HCV in 24 weeks with a combination of telaprevir, pegylated interferon and ribavirin.
Triple therapy with boceprevir - In 2009, clinical trial data demonstrated that 75 percent of genotype 1 treatment-nave patients cleared HCV in 48 weeks with a combination of boceprevir, pegylated interferon and ribavirin.
Telaprevir and boceprevir will finish their development cycle in 2010, and the Phase III data is expected to be sent to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for marketing approval in 2010-2011. If there are no glitches in the data, safety concerns or other roadblocks, the FDA could approve these drugs by 2011.
As we plunge into the next decade of Hepatitis C research and development, we are likely to see more effective drug combinations come to fruition. Even if something slows down the boceprevir or telaprevir Phase III clinical trials, a triple therapy for Hepatitis C is coming - and it promises to increase the chances of beating this virus for people from all backgrounds.
Hepatitis Central
January 6, 2010
2009 Progress Likely to Change HCV Treatment to Triple Therapy
Looking back on the research and development of 2009, the scientific community witnessed unprecedented innovation in the fight against the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Based on what has emerged this past year in the pharmaceutical industry, we can expect great strides in HCV treatments well into this new decade.
With an estimated 170 million people worldwide with chronic Hepatitis C, this virus has emerged as one of the most problematic infections of the 21st century. For nearly half of those treated for the most common strain of HCV (genotype 1), the standard antiviral drugs (a combination of interferon and ribavirin) do not succeed in clearing the virus from the liver. Those who are unable to clear HCV are at risk of their liver disease advancing to debilitating - or even fatal consequences.
The length of time people will have to wait for new HCV medication options depends on the outcomes of drugs currently in Phase III clinical trials. While interferon is a non-specific immune system booster and ribavirin is an antiviral medication, the strategy of most of the up and coming HCV drugs is to undermine the virus' ability to replicate.
The two drugs that are furthest along in development are the HCV protease inhibitors telaprevir and boceprevir. Right now, both of these drugs are being evaluated as a triple therapy, taken alongside pegylated interferon plus ribavirin.
Triple therapy with telaprevir - In 2009, clinical trial data demonstrated that 69 percent of genotype 1 treatment-nave patients cleared HCV in 24 weeks with a combination of telaprevir, pegylated interferon and ribavirin.
Triple therapy with boceprevir - In 2009, clinical trial data demonstrated that 75 percent of genotype 1 treatment-nave patients cleared HCV in 48 weeks with a combination of boceprevir, pegylated interferon and ribavirin.
Telaprevir and boceprevir will finish their development cycle in 2010, and the Phase III data is expected to be sent to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for marketing approval in 2010-2011. If there are no glitches in the data, safety concerns or other roadblocks, the FDA could approve these drugs by 2011.
As we plunge into the next decade of Hepatitis C research and development, we are likely to see more effective drug combinations come to fruition. Even if something slows down the boceprevir or telaprevir Phase III clinical trials, a triple therapy for Hepatitis C is coming - and it promises to increase the chances of beating this virus for people from all backgrounds.
ok...i'll quit ramblin now.....nighty nite y'all!!!!!!!!!!
This is an amazing article! I am so happy you posted it. We all need a little hope to keep fighting. Thank you!
This is just to say that while these are a measure of good news, I am afraid that they are not the "magic bullet" that we are hoping for. Dr. Deiterech from the ALF talks about it being at least 2015-2020 based on current research before we see any major changes in treatment that dont involve Interferon and Ribavirin.