Hepatitis C drugs offer 'cure'

[wakeme2008]

Source: BBC

Last Updated: Tuesday, 22 May 2007, 09:37 GMT 10:37 UK


Hepatitis C drugs offer 'cure'
Blood cells
The virus is carried in blood cells
People infected with hepatitis C can be cured with existing treatments, researchers have discovered.

Standard therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin removed all detectable virus in 99% of patients for up to seven years.

The treatments were known to work initially but it had been unclear whether the virus would come back.

Experts said it was good news for patients but that some still suffer from painful symptoms.



Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6679275.stm

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. They can be cured with other things as well

I'm sure there will be those that will flame me, but my husband was diagnosed with Hep C back in 2001. It was to the stage of beginning cerossis of the liver. Doc said to try Vitamin C-Alpha Lipoic Acid IVs twice a week--then once a week-- then once a month-- also taking Chinese herbs. Liver tests the last couple of years have shown normal liver function. Yet there are those who have told him that the amount of Vitamin C he took was a "lethal dose".

[bigscott]

2. excess vitamin C

would be excreted in the urine - not sure how they determined this would be a lethal dose??

Interferon/ribavirin is a nasty drug combination - even if it does work for you. A friend of mine considered suicide while on this for her HepC - thank god she is better now but she went through total hell for the entire time she was treated

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

11. I wondered about the "lethal dose" folks myself

because of the fact C is water soluble.

[Cobalt Violet]

4. That's interesting.

Has he a new liver biopsy? Has he cleared the virus?

[StarryNite]

22. Good for your husband

I'm so sick of big pharma dictating how we are supposed to be cured. Coincidentally, always with their drugs which always have negative side effects. Sometimes we have to bite the bullet and resort to big pharmas drugs but many times there are safer methods. I'm wondering if your hubby's doctor was a regular doctor or was it a alternative medicine type doc?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

27. Regular MD BUT also certified in holistic medicine

What is exciting is that the Arkansas Medical School uses her for lectures and has her clinic as one option for medical students to go work. You can find out more about her at http://www.futurevisionsfoundation.org

We're planning a Health Fair next month where we are providing free screenings for blood sugar, blood pressure, glaucoma, and cholesterol and maybe some other things as well. A lot of vendors will be there, providing a wild variety of options when it comes to health care.

[BluePatriot]

35. Good for hubby!

I firmly believe _some_ herbal/vitamin combos do work well due to my own experience with autoimmune problems. I just wish science would bother to test them more b/c I do wonder about side effects and interactions with conventional drugs.

[Cobalt Violet]

3. Something sounds wrong here.

I know of many people who didn't respond to the treatment or the virus came back after treatment.

[Nite Owl]

5. Yes, it does sound wrong

In many cases only 50% show a positive response to the meds and showing no detectible viral load means just that, it's only what the labs are capable of detecting.

[Cobalt Violet]

7. Now I get it.

It's a follow up study of only patients who have a SVR from treatment. This is good news. I don't think this has been studied before. I've often wondered about this too. The article isn't writen very clearly about this. It make it sound like a 99% cure rate for all heppers. I found this abstract at hcvadvocate.org.
http://www.hcvadvocate.org/news/reports/DDW_2007/Abstracts/MondayAbstracts.htm#Mon444

---------------------------------------------------------

Topic: Current therapies – Pegasys

444. Sustained Virologic Response (SVR) Resulting From Treatment with Peginterferon Alfa-2a (40KD) (PEGASYS®) Alone or in Combination with Ribavirin (COPEGUS®) is Durable and Constitutes a Cure: an Ongoing 5-year Follow-up.

M. G. Swain; M. Lai; M. L. Shiffman; W. E. Cooksley; A. Abergel; A. Lin; E. Connell; M. Diago



Background:

The current standard of care in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is combination therapy with peginterferon and ribavirin. Sustained virologic response (SVR) rates of up to 66% have been reported in pts with HCV mono-infection. The durability of SVR is being investigated in a long-term follow-up study of pts treated for chronic HCV infection. Here we present the latest results of this ongoing study.



Methods:

Pts who took part in one of nine randomized trials of peginterferon alfa-2a (40KD) (PEGASYS®) as monotherapy or in combination with ribavirin (COPEGUS®), and who were negative for serum HCV-RNA (<50IU/mL) at the final virologic assessment were eligible for inclusion in the long-term follow-up study. Serum HCV-RNA was determined annually for 5 years from the date of last treatment.



Results:

To date 997 pts are undergoing long-term follow-up, including 163 HCV mono-infected pts treated with peginterferon alfa-2a (40KD) monotherapy, 741 mono-infected pts treated with combination therapy, and 93 HIV-HCV co-infected pts treated with either monotherapy or combination therapy. The overwhelming majority of pts (989/997; >99%) remain HCV-RNA negative at a mean of 4.1 (range 0.4-7) years after treatment cessation (an outcome we consider to be consistent with a cure). Eight pts became HCV-RNA positive (>50IU/mL) between 1.1-2.9 (mean 2.0) years after completing treatment. There were no consistent patterns in terms of age, gender or HCV genotype among these 8 pts and none showed evidence of liver cirrhosis. Two pts had low baseline viral load (<400,000IU/mL) while the remaining 6 pts had a baseline viral load ranging from 700,000–12 millionIU/mL. The proportion of these incidents representing new infections or true ‘relapse’ is currently unknown.



Conclusions:

· These results show that an SVR following treatment with peginterferon alfa-2a alone or in combination with ribavirin is durable in almost all (99.2%) pts with chronic HCV infection, validating the use of the word ‘clincially cured’ for those achieving an SVR.

· The author noted that of the 8 patients who became HCV positive during follow-up, that one was a clear case of reinfection because that patients tested positive for a different genotype than the genotype in the original study.

· The authors are not sure if the other 7 patients are from reinfection or because the virus returned after therapy. Another physician stated that because there is a 1% false-positive result that there cold be a possibility that the viral load tests have been false positive. Unfortunately, those patients have not lost to follow-up.

-----------------------

Very good news for those who clear and remain clear and are still clear at 6 months.

[Nite Owl]

10. Ahh, yes

then this is good news.

[spotbird]

6. It's not new treatment

I wonder why they're getting better results?

I got Hep C from a blood transfusion. In less than a year it cleared without any intervention (I was young, healthy and very lucky). At that time, they didn't start treatment until the infection had become chronic (inflammation lasting more than six months, I think) or there was evidence it was causing liver damage.

Anyway, before I knew it would heal on its own, I explored the treatments. This was quite some time ago, but my memory is that these drugs were only about 50% effective in the long run. Obviously worth doing if there were no alternatives, but bleak nevertheless.

[Cobalt Violet]

8. It's only a test of people who were successful with treatment.

The article isn't very clear about this. See my response to Night Owl above. It's a long term follow up study.

I'm glad to hear you are one of the 15% who clear the virus before it becomes chronic.

[spotbird]

9. When it was happening

all the physicians acted as if it was a given that it would become chronic, which is why I became familiar with the treatment options.

This is the first time I've heard just how rare it is to clear it on ones own. I wonder if it is more common to recover then they realize? Most people don't know exactly when they are infected, so if they clear it on their own it is statistically unrecorded. In fact, I'd bet it's rare to discover an infection as early as mine was caught.

[Cobalt Violet]

12. You won that lottery.

I think they are right to treat people as if it will become chronic because it usually does. I'm not sure how they get their satistics. It's true most people don't know exactly when they are infected and most don't even know that they are infected. Who knows.

Did you have symptoms that lead to your being diagnosed?

[spotbird]

14. I received a massive

(28 units) blood transfusion. 6-8 weeks later, just as I was starting to get my strength back, I began to feel ill. I'd sleep 12 hours and wake feeling as if I'd slept an hour. I had night sweats and some pain in my right side. The pain was eventually determined to be ulcers, which apparently aren't uncommon in patients who had been on life support. It was a mess.

This was just before blood was routinely screened, but based on my symptoms and history it was the first thing they looked for. Viral testing was only available at NIH at the time.

[laylah]

16. I, too, contracted Hep C

from a transfusion I had to have after the birth of my first child in 1981 (I was 29). I was not diagnosed until January 2006. I have had the biopsy (May '06) which was quite good, actually. The price of the treatment, even WITH insurance, is cost prohibitive (for my current situation...they let people like me die, tyvm!) and I thank God/dess I do not "have" to have it yet. Along with that, the cocktail of interferon and ribo-whatever, scares the bejesus out of me! I try to take lots of milkthistle and dandelion root, when I can afford it, the Vit.C is a new thing to me. There is also a tonic, manufactured in India from Himalayan plants, that is supposed to be very good.

I have not read the entire OP yet but I will. I just wanted to add my two cents.

So very glad to hear you are in tip-top shape. :hug:

[spotbird]

18. May I suggest you

look into turmeric with bioperine supplements?

Be careful because they can cause stomach and gall bladder upset, but apparently they can work wonders for liver's health. If you take the turmeric with the bioperine only once a day, with your largest meal, side effects can be minimized.

[Cobalt Violet]

23. Have you applied to the drug companies for free drugs?

Some people have had luck with that. If there is anyway at all you can do it, do it. The chances are better the younger you are and the less advanced the disease is. The drugs' sides scare me too but not as much as the google images and info of cirrhosis. And just the thought of varicose veins in the esophagus really creeps me out.


There is a new test developed which can determine whether or not someone has the genetic makers that make it more likely that advanced liver disease will develop. It's expensive and I don't think it is widely used yet but it was said to be very accurate. If I knew I was unlikely to develop cirrhosis I would skip treatment too. I'll be going for my first biospy soon although I was diagnosis back in 2000.

I hope you will stay very healthy.

[NashVegas]

13. Too Late for Jessica!

OLTL reference :)

[Cobalt Violet]

15. I haven't watched that yet.

Which network is that on?

[NashVegas]

19. OLTL?

It's an ABC soap - er, Daytime Drama.

[Cobalt Violet]

24. I've heard about the story line.

She's had hep for 2-3 years and already has liver cancer. :puke: But I am glad to see HCV go mainstream.

[NashVegas]

26. Yes - And It Was Only Discovered Two Weeks Ago

Her face is mustard yellow.

:puke: indeed.

[laylah]

17. Here is much

more info re: Hep C treatment, for those who are interested.

http://www.hepatitis-central.com/mt/archives/2007/03/new_dosing_stud.html

[dbackjon]

20. My Mom was cured of Hep C with this

She contracted Hep C breaking up fights in middle school (she was a teacher).

The treatment was rough, but 3 years ago she was virus free, and has been since.

[Cobalt Violet]

21. According to this study she has a better than 99% chance...

Of staying virus free. :toast: :woohoo:

[alstephenson]

25. Here is a very, VERY interesting perspective on Hep C: "Hepatitis C Reconsidered"

Interesting and very controversial!

http://www.mercola.com/1999/archive/hepatitis_c_reconsidered.htm

[Old Vet]

28. I believe that I contracted hep-C in the Military....

I was a crash firefighter in the service and was vulnerable to blood often. I went thru peg/ribo treatment 2 years ago at my local Veterans hospital. Out of 10 or so men starting treatment,I was the only one who finished, Plain and simple hell for me and family,Lost my hair,lost 48lb,and my mind. As of last month all my liver functions are normal,Which has probably extended my life by at o this is good news!

[spotbird]

29. Congratulations!

Sounds horrible.

[Old Vet]

30. Extended by..

20 years

[ismnotwasm]

31. Bullshit

The success rate depends, among other things, what genotype of HCV you have. Many can't tolerate the "cure" This is a misleading article.

[Cobalt Violet]

32. It's a very misleading article.

It implies that there is a 99% cure rate for HCV.
In the abstract it is clear that it was a study of just people who had cleared the virus and remained virus free at six month. That is considered a SVR. Then and only then where those people studied and 99% of them stay virus free.

Excellent news for those who have a SVR but no way an overall cure.

[Old Vet]

33. You are correct................

I believe my geno is 1A, Most likely to work. As I stated I was the only one out of 10 that finished.

[Nite Owl]

34. Just got back from the

doctor with my son. He's under treatment for Hep C. (Good news is that he is clear!) The doctor discussed this article with us, thought it was good news. He was kind of surprised that I knew about it already (thanks to DU). He also spoke of another case where a women went through the treatment, showed clear blood work, and several years later got a lung infection, she was given prednisone therapy and once again tested positive for Hep C. A year later it was gone again. It was thought that no immunity was given from the present therapy, from having the Hep C, but it seems that the prednisone that suppressed the immune system showed the few cells that might have been left over but her body took care of it. Only one case but it is very hopeful.

[AlecA]

36. HCV Cure???????

This doc and a few others have been trying to get the media to report this for years. Usually the science or health writers contact someone not on gravy train from Schering or Roche and then edit out the cure word. Interferon based treatments are very dangerous and many patients ignore the FDA black box warnings when they hear the "cure" word. Curing a virus that attacks the immune system is a very complex maneuver, especially when the benchmarks one uses are red blood cells or hemoglobin to measure the amount of virus in the body. Researcher not funded by the pharms have found active virus in other organs of the bodies of those have a non detectable PCR. .Many who are "cured" relapse months to years later and often the pharms put it down to risky behavior or new infection, as no one is around to challenge them.

If one can maintain a sustained viral response for over a year, I would suggest that individual consider themselves possibly "cured", but would also ensure good liver health and have a PCR viral load test done yearly. Then again the cure word does a great disservice to those in the hepatitis C community as one does not just pick up their lunch pail and head off to work after suffering from a chronic disease for years. The effect on the physical and emotional state of patients was not considered when this overpaid doc on the pharms gravy train finally found a naive reporter to print this.

As for herbs and tonics, there is not one proven case to date of any of them doing anything but producing expensive urine. In fact many are very dangerous and have caused patients to end up with a non functioning liver and if they have insurance take a much needed liver for transplant from a supply that is 70% of what is needed. Be very careful as to what you ingest.

[alstephenson]

37. Some very good points, and....

welcome to DU!:hi:

[AlecA]

38. TY, I had another DU name, but can't remember it.

Also to keep in mind that the validated response to current interferon combo products is 27% or so with close to 50% who quit treating and never return to their docs.As the huge majority of Americans have the geno 1 version of the virus. The pharms just love to use stats for geno 2 & 3 which are much higher when making their claims. They remind me of car makers in the 70's and 80's trying to outdo each other with MPG for their wares.