Re: here you go Lee and this is just one see underlined ..

[Guest guest]

Liz, This study only adresses the relapse rate post treatment and not

long term relapse rates among people who do reach SVR. Or am I

reading it wrong.

Lee

> >

> > I honestly believe this to be wrong ... 0.5% there is no way

they

> are correct in this . Long term studies over 10 yrs should be

used

> and the patients should be far more than just 997 .

> > Doctors use the C-word

> >

> >

> > Thought this was interesting. I'm seeing more Doctors calling

SVR

> a

> > cure.

> > Lee

> >

> > Analysis: Total hepatitis C cure possible

> > By ED SUSMAN

> > BARCELONA, Spain, April 12 (UPI) -- Researchers meeting in

Spain

> said

> > Thursday that hepatitis C patients who achieve a complete

> response to

> > treatment can be considered completely cured of the disease

that

> can

> > result in cirrhosis, liver failure and death.

> >

> > " I tell my patients who achieve a sustained virologic response

to

> go

> > home and get on with their lives, " said Mark Swain, professor

of

> > medicine at the University of Calgary in Canada, who presented

> > results of an international trial at the opening session of the

> 42nd

> > European Association for the Study of the Liver in Barcelona,

> > Spain. " I tell them that there is less than a 0.5 percent

chance

> that

> > the disease will ever return. "

> >

> > In fact, of 997 patients who were able to achieve the complete

> > response, only 8 came down with the disease again, Swain said.

> >

> > " This is a very important message. We can cure people with this

> > disease, " Xavier Forns, senior specialist in liver diseases at

> the

> > Hospital Clinic in Barcelona and a member of the program

> committee

> > for the conference, told United Press International.

> >

> > " We made this paper 'Abstract 1' because we thought this was a

> > significant finding that is important to our patients and to

the

> > clinicians. "

> >

> > Swain identified the 997 patients from 9 clinical trials that

> tested

> > drugs either in monotherapy or in combination therapy. All

these

> > patients had a sustained virologic response when treated with

> > pegylated interferon alfa-2a (PEGASYS) as monotherapy or in

> > combination with ribavirin (COPEGUS). The criteria for a

> sustained

> > virologic response means that after taking drugs for either six

> > months or 24 months, tests could not detect virus in the

> bloodstream.

> > If six months after stopping the drugs there was still no

> detectable

> > virus, the patient was said to have achieved a sustained

> virologic

> > response.

> >

> > Swain said that such patients should also be told that can be

> > considered cured.

> >

> > The study included three trials in which patients were treated

> with

> > monotherapy and six trials in which the combination treatment

was

> > employed. Swain said the combination therapy is now considered

> > standard of care and as many as 66 percent of patients infected

> with

> > hepatitis C who faithfully take their antiviral medication --

> usually

> > for 48 weeks -- are able to achieve the sustained virologic

> response.

> >

> > " Although the benefits of viral eradication have been well

> > established, the overall durability of a sustained virologic

> response

> > is less well known, " Swain explained.

> >

> > Of the patients who did achieve a sustained virologic response,

> 163

> > patients who only had hepatitis C infections were treated with

> > peginterferon alfa-2a monotherapy; 741 patients were treated

with

> > peginterferon alfa-2a monotherapy plus ribavirin combination

> therapy;

> > 93 patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

> and

> > hepatitis C were treated with either monotherapy or combination

> > therapy.

> >

> > " We found that a sustained virologic response is a sustained

> > virologic response whether it occurs in an immunosuppressed

> patient

> > due to disease such as HIV, or who has undergone

transplantation

> and

> > requires immunosuppressive drugs, " Swain said. There was no

> falloff

> > in response. Of the eight people who relapsed or were re-

> infected,

> > just one patient in the combined hepatitis C-HIV group was

listed

> as

> > a relapse. He also noted that only one of the eight cases

> involved a

> > patient who had taken a full course of treatment.

> >

> > Swain said that, due to the way the studies were conducted, it

> will

> > be impossible to determine if the patients indeed relapsed or

> were re-

> > infected. In only one case did a patient's records contain

viable

> > virus for a DNA comparison to be made. In that case, the

patient

> > appeared to become re-infected with a different strain of

> hepatitis

> > C. " We are never going to know the answer to whether these are

> > relapses or re-infections, " he said.

> >

> > Forns told UPI that hepatitis can be contracted through

injected

> drug

> > use, sexual contact and hospital-acquired infections. He said

> that

> > patients need to be aware, however, that a cure does not mean

> that re-

> > infection can't occur if they continue to have risky activities.

> >

> > http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?

> feed=Science & article=UPI-1-

> > 20070412-16141800-bc-spain-Hepatitis Cure-analysis.xml

> >

>

[Guest guest]

This is about relapse rates after treatment . Key word here is the relapse after sustained response . Most doctors want to say after 6 months the patient is cured , This not correct , it is going to take yrs and yrs to finally say Cured . And unfortunately even then we will still have the disease on the molecular level . I will get more research later today but for now ...my hubby is taking me for hot chocolate lol

Doctors use the C-word> > > > > > Thought this was interesting. I'm seeing more Doctors calling SVR > a > > cure.> > Lee> > > > Analysis: Total hepatitis C cure possible> > By ED SUSMAN > > BARCELONA, Spain, April 12 (UPI) -- Researchers meeting in Spain > said > > Thursday that hepatitis C patients who achieve a complete > response to > > treatment can be considered completely cured of the disease that > can > > result in cirrhosis, liver failure and death. > > > > "I tell my patients who achieve a sustained virologic response to > go > > home and get on with their lives," said Mark Swain, professor of > > medicine at the University of Calgary in Canada, who presented > > results of an international trial at the opening session of the > 42nd > > European Association for the Study of the Liver in Barcelona, > > Spain. "I tell them that there is less than a 0.5 percent chance > that > > the disease will ever return."> > > > In fact, of 997 patients who were able to achieve the complete > > response, only 8 came down with the disease again, Swain said.> > > > "This is a very important message. We can cure people with this > > disease," Xavier Forns, senior specialist in liver diseases at > the > > Hospital Clinic in Barcelona and a member of the program > committee > > for the conference, told United Press International.> > > > "We made this paper 'Abstract 1' because we thought this was a > > significant finding that is important to our patients and to the > > clinicians." > > > > Swain identified the 997 patients from 9 clinical trials that > tested > > drugs either in monotherapy or in combination therapy. All these > > patients had a sustained virologic response when treated with > > pegylated interferon alfa-2a (PEGASYS) as monotherapy or in > > combination with ribavirin (COPEGUS). The criteria for a > sustained > > virologic response means that after taking drugs for either six > > months or 24 months, tests could not detect virus in the > bloodstream. > > If six months after stopping the drugs there was still no > detectable > > virus, the patient was said to have achieved a sustained > virologic > > response.> > > > Swain said that such patients should also be told that can be > > considered cured.> > > > The study included three trials in which patients were treated > with > > monotherapy and six trials in which the combination treatment was > > employed. Swain said the combination therapy is now considered > > standard of care and as many as 66 percent of patients infected > with > > hepatitis C who faithfully take their antiviral medication -- > usually > > for 48 weeks -- are able to achieve the sustained virologic > response.> > > > "Although the benefits of viral eradication have been well > > established, the overall durability of a sustained virologic > response > > is less well known," Swain explained.> > > > Of the patients who did achieve a sustained virologic response, > 163 > > patients who only had hepatitis C infections were treated with > > peginterferon alfa-2a monotherapy; 741 patients were treated with > > peginterferon alfa-2a monotherapy plus ribavirin combination > therapy; > > 93 patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) > and > > hepatitis C were treated with either monotherapy or combination > > therapy.> > > > "We found that a sustained virologic response is a sustained > > virologic response whether it occurs in an immunosuppressed > patient > > due to disease such as HIV, or who has undergone transplantation > and > > requires immunosuppressive drugs," Swain said. There was no > falloff > > in response. Of the eight people who relapsed or were re-> infected, > > just one patient in the combined hepatitis C-HIV group was listed > as > > a relapse. He also noted that only one of the eight cases > involved a > > patient who had taken a full course of treatment.> > > > Swain said that, due to the way the studies were conducted, it > will > > be impossible to determine if the patients indeed relapsed or > were re-> > infected. In only one case did a patient's records contain viable > > virus for a DNA comparison to be made. In that case, the patient > > appeared to become re-infected with a different strain of > hepatitis > > C. "We are never going to know the answer to whether these are > > relapses or re-infections," he said.> > > > Forns told UPI that hepatitis can be contracted through injected > drug > > use, sexual contact and hospital-acquired infections. He said > that > > patients need to be aware, however, that a cure does not mean > that re-> > infection can't occur if they continue to have risky activities.> > > > http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?> feed=Science & article=UPI-1-> > 20070412-16141800-bc-spain-Hepatitis Cure-analysis.xml> >>

[Guest guest]

So what the heck does that mean, that the hances of staying clear are not very good if you are only on treatment for 11 months? Not happy.. Sheena Prolongation of

Interferon/Ribavirin Therapy to 18 Months Reduces Relapse Rates to 15 Percent or Less Treatment of chronic hepatitis C with interferon can be ineffective due to relapse. In the current randomized, double-blinded study, researchers aimed to reduce the 40% relapse rate of 6 months interferon-ribavirin combination therapy by prolonging treatment to 18 months. Three hundred treatment-naive hepatitis C patients were randomized to 18 months combination therapy with interferon (3MU tiw) and ribavirin (1000-1200 mg/day), 18 months

interferon combined with placebo, or 6 months combination therapy with interferon and ribavirin. All 295 patients who received at least one dose of treatment were included in the intention to treat analysis. Results At the end of treatment, HCV RNA was undetectable in 55 and 49% of those on 6 and 18 months combination therapy, respectively, versus 26% of those on monotherapy (P<0.001). The relapse rate was 38% for 6 months combination therapy, 38% for 18 months monotherapy, and only 13% for 18 months combination

treatment (P=0.002). The sustained response rates were 34% for 6 months combination therapy, 16% for 18 months monotherapy and 43% for 18 months combination therapy (P<0.05). In conclusion, the authors note, “Reduction of relapse rates to 15% or less is feasible by prolongation of interferon-ribavirin treatment to 18 months.” 05/10/04 ReferenceJ T Brouwer and others (for the Benelux Study Group on Treatment of Chronic

Hepatitis C). Reduction of relapse rates by 18-month treatment in chronic hepatitis C. A Benelux randomized trial in 300 patients. Journal of Hepatology 40(4): 689-695. April 2004. Doctors use the C-word>

> > Thought this was interesting. I'm seeing more Doctors calling SVR a > cure.> Lee> > Analysis: Total hepatitis C cure possible> By ED SUSMAN > BARCELONA, Spain, April 12 (UPI) -- Researchers meeting in Spain said > Thursday that hepatitis C patients who achieve a complete response to > treatment can be considered completely cured of the disease that can > result in cirrhosis, liver failure and death. > > "I tell my patients who achieve a sustained virologic response to go > home and get on with their lives," said Mark Swain, professor of > medicine at the University of Calgary in Canada, who presented > results of an international trial at the opening session of the 42nd > European Association for the Study of the Liver in Barcelona, > Spain. "I tell them that there is less than a 0.5 percent chance that > the

disease will ever return."> > In fact, of 997 patients who were able to achieve the complete > response, only 8 came down with the disease again, Swain said.> > "This is a very important message. We can cure people with this > disease," Xavier Forns, senior specialist in liver diseases at the > Hospital Clinic in Barcelona and a member of the program committee > for the conference, told United Press International.> > "We made this paper 'Abstract 1' because we thought this was a > significant finding that is important to our patients and to the > clinicians." > > Swain identified the 997 patients from 9 clinical trials that tested > drugs either in monotherapy or in combination therapy. All these > patients had a sustained virologic response when treated with > pegylated interferon alfa-2a (PEGASYS) as monotherapy or in > combination

with ribavirin (COPEGUS). The criteria for a sustained > virologic response means that after taking drugs for either six > months or 24 months, tests could not detect virus in the bloodstream. > If six months after stopping the drugs there was still no detectable > virus, the patient was said to have achieved a sustained virologic > response.> > Swain said that such patients should also be told that can be > considered cured.> > The study included three trials in which patients were treated with > monotherapy and six trials in which the combination treatment was > employed. Swain said the combination therapy is now considered > standard of care and as many as 66 percent of patients infected with > hepatitis C who faithfully take their antiviral medication -- usually > for 48 weeks -- are able to achieve the sustained virologic

response.> > "Although the benefits of viral eradication have been well > established, the overall durability of a sustained virologic response > is less well known," Swain explained.> > Of the patients who did achieve a sustained virologic response, 163 > patients who only had hepatitis C infections were treated with > peginterferon alfa-2a monotherapy; 741 patients were treated with > peginterferon alfa-2a monotherapy plus ribavirin combination therapy; > 93 patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and > hepatitis C were treated with either monotherapy or combination > therapy.> > "We found that a sustained virologic response is a sustained > virologic response whether it occurs in an immunosuppressed patient > due to disease such as HIV, or who has undergone transplantation and > requires immunosuppressive

drugs," Swain said. There was no falloff > in response. Of the eight people who relapsed or were re-infected, > just one patient in the combined hepatitis C-HIV group was listed as > a relapse. He also noted that only one of the eight cases involved a > patient who had taken a full course of treatment.> > Swain said that, due to the way the studies were conducted, it will > be impossible to determine if the patients indeed relapsed or were re-> infected. In only one case did a patient's records contain viable > virus for a DNA comparison to be made. In that case, the patient > appeared to become re-infected with a different strain of hepatitis > C. "We are never going to know the answer to whether these are > relapses or re-infections," he said.> > Forns told UPI that hepatitis can be contracted through injected drug > use, sexual

contact and hospital-acquired infections. He said that > patients need to be aware, however, that a cure does not mean that re-> infection can't occur if they continue to have risky activities.> > http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?feed=Science & article=UPI-1-> 20070412-16141800-bc-spain-Hepatitis Cure-analysis.xml>

Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check out

new cars at Autos.

[Guest guest]

Enjoy your hot chocolate Liz! Looks like this might be our last cool

week before the heat sets in here in the southwest. lol

These studies can be confusing.

I like the results of the first one, to me it seems to state that

out of close to one thousand people who reach SVR only .5% have

relapsed and some of those may be from reinfection not relapse.

I also remember another study that said that five years after

acheiving SVR that most cases of relapse were suspected to be

reinfection.

Then there is the study finding traces of HCV virus in liver

biopsies of people with SVR.

So who knows. I have to wait until August to see if I even get to

SVR.

Thanks for all of the research that you post, I like to see that so

much is work is going into this.

Lee

> > >

> > > I honestly believe this to be wrong ... 0.5% there is no way

> they

> > are correct in this . Long term studies over 10 yrs should be

> used

> > and the patients should be far more than just 997 .

> > > Doctors use the C-word

> > >

> > >

> > > Thought this was interesting. I'm seeing more Doctors calling

> SVR

> > a

> > > cure.

> > > Lee

> > >

> > > Analysis: Total hepatitis C cure possible

> > > By ED SUSMAN

> > > BARCELONA, Spain, April 12 (UPI) -- Researchers meeting in

> Spain

> > said

> > > Thursday that hepatitis C patients who achieve a complete

> > response to

> > > treatment can be considered completely cured of the disease

> that

> > can

> > > result in cirrhosis, liver failure and death.

> > >

> > > " I tell my patients who achieve a sustained virologic

response

> to

> > go

> > > home and get on with their lives, " said Mark Swain, professor

> of

> > > medicine at the University of Calgary in Canada, who

presented

> > > results of an international trial at the opening session of

the

> > 42nd

> > > European Association for the Study of the Liver in Barcelona,

> > > Spain. " I tell them that there is less than a 0.5 percent

> chance

> > that

> > > the disease will ever return. "

> > >

> > > In fact, of 997 patients who were able to achieve the

complete

> > > response, only 8 came down with the disease again, Swain said.

> > >

> > > " This is a very important message. We can cure people with

this

> > > disease, " Xavier Forns, senior specialist in liver diseases

at

> > the

> > > Hospital Clinic in Barcelona and a member of the program

> > committee

> > > for the conference, told United Press International.

> > >

> > > " We made this paper 'Abstract 1' because we thought this was

a

> > > significant finding that is important to our patients and to

> the

> > > clinicians. "

> > >

> > > Swain identified the 997 patients from 9 clinical trials that

> > tested

> > > drugs either in monotherapy or in combination therapy. All

> these

> > > patients had a sustained virologic response when treated with

> > > pegylated interferon alfa-2a (PEGASYS) as monotherapy or in

> > > combination with ribavirin (COPEGUS). The criteria for a

> > sustained

> > > virologic response means that after taking drugs for either

six

> > > months or 24 months, tests could not detect virus in the

> > bloodstream.

> > > If six months after stopping the drugs there was still no

> > detectable

> > > virus, the patient was said to have achieved a sustained

> > virologic

> > > response.

> > >

> > > Swain said that such patients should also be told that can be

> > > considered cured.

> > >

> > > The study included three trials in which patients were

treated

> > with

> > > monotherapy and six trials in which the combination treatment

> was

> > > employed. Swain said the combination therapy is now

considered

> > > standard of care and as many as 66 percent of patients

infected

> > with

> > > hepatitis C who faithfully take their antiviral medication --

> > usually

> > > for 48 weeks -- are able to achieve the sustained virologic

> > response.

> > >

> > > " Although the benefits of viral eradication have been well

> > > established, the overall durability of a sustained virologic

> > response

> > > is less well known, " Swain explained.

> > >

> > > Of the patients who did achieve a sustained virologic

response,

> > 163

> > > patients who only had hepatitis C infections were treated

with

> > > peginterferon alfa-2a monotherapy; 741 patients were treated

> with

> > > peginterferon alfa-2a monotherapy plus ribavirin combination

> > therapy;

> > > 93 patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus

(HIV)

> > and

> > > hepatitis C were treated with either monotherapy or

combination

> > > therapy.

> > >

> > > " We found that a sustained virologic response is a sustained

> > > virologic response whether it occurs in an immunosuppressed

> > patient

> > > due to disease such as HIV, or who has undergone

> transplantation

> > and

> > > requires immunosuppressive drugs, " Swain said. There was no

> > falloff

> > > in response. Of the eight people who relapsed or were re-

> > infected,

> > > just one patient in the combined hepatitis C-HIV group was

> listed

> > as

> > > a relapse. He also noted that only one of the eight cases

> > involved a

> > > patient who had taken a full course of treatment.

> > >

> > > Swain said that, due to the way the studies were conducted,

it

> > will

> > > be impossible to determine if the patients indeed relapsed or

> > were re-

> > > infected. In only one case did a patient's records contain

> viable

> > > virus for a DNA comparison to be made. In that case, the

> patient

> > > appeared to become re-infected with a different strain of

> > hepatitis

> > > C. " We are never going to know the answer to whether these

are

> > > relapses or re-infections, " he said.

> > >

> > > Forns told UPI that hepatitis can be contracted through

> injected

> > drug

> > > use, sexual contact and hospital-acquired infections. He said

> > that

> > > patients need to be aware, however, that a cure does not mean

> > that re-

> > > infection can't occur if they continue to have risky

activities.

> > >

> > > http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?

> > feed=Science & article=UPI-1-

> > > 20070412-16141800-bc-spain-Hepatitis Cure-analysis.xml

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I always thought that it should be longer,, but then again, how are they gonna keep ppl doing tx longer when they have insurance problems along with dealing with the anemia that tx causes... elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote: Prolongation of Interferon/Ribavirin Therapy to 18 Months Reduces Relapse Rates to 15

Percent or Less Treatment of chronic hepatitis C with interferon can be ineffective due to relapse. In the current randomized, double-blinded study, researchers aimed to reduce the 40% relapse rate of 6 months interferon-ribavirin combination therapy by prolonging treatment to 18 months. Three hundred treatment-naive hepatitis C patients were randomized to 18 months combination therapy with interferon (3MU tiw) and ribavirin (1000-1200 mg/day), 18 months interferon combined with placebo, or 6 months combination therapy with interferon

and ribavirin. All 295 patients who received at least one dose of treatment were included in the intention to treat analysis. Results At the end of treatment, HCV RNA was undetectable in 55 and 49% of those on 6 and 18 months combination therapy, respectively, versus 26% of those on monotherapy (P<0.001). The relapse rate was 38% for 6 months combination therapy, 38% for 18 months monotherapy, and only 13% for 18 months combination treatment (P=0.002). The sustained response rates were 34% for 6 months

combination therapy, 16% for 18 months monotherapy and 43% for 18 months combination therapy (P<0.05). In conclusion, the authors note, “Reduction of relapse rates to 15% or less is feasible by prolongation of interferon-ribavirin treatment to 18 months.” 05/10/04 ReferenceJ T Brouwer and others (for the Benelux Study Group on Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C). Reduction of relapse rates by 18-month treatment in chronic

hepatitis C. A Benelux randomized trial in 300 patients. Journal of Hepatology 40(4): 689-695. April 2004. Doctors use the C-word> > > Thought this was interesting. I'm seeing more Doctors calling SVR

a > cure.> Lee> > Analysis: Total hepatitis C cure possible> By ED SUSMAN > BARCELONA, Spain, April 12 (UPI) -- Researchers meeting in Spain said > Thursday that hepatitis C patients who achieve a complete response to > treatment can be considered completely cured of the disease that can > result in cirrhosis, liver failure and death. > > "I tell my patients who achieve a sustained virologic response to go > home and get on with their lives," said Mark Swain, professor of > medicine at the University of Calgary in Canada, who presented > results of an international trial at the opening session of the 42nd > European Association for the Study of the Liver in Barcelona, > Spain. "I tell them that there is less than a 0.5 percent chance that > the disease will ever return."> > In fact, of 997 patients who were able to

achieve the complete > response, only 8 came down with the disease again, Swain said.> > "This is a very important message. We can cure people with this > disease," Xavier Forns, senior specialist in liver diseases at the > Hospital Clinic in Barcelona and a member of the program committee > for the conference, told United Press International.> > "We made this paper 'Abstract 1' because we thought this was a > significant finding that is important to our patients and to the > clinicians." > > Swain identified the 997 patients from 9 clinical trials that tested > drugs either in monotherapy or in combination therapy. All these > patients had a sustained virologic response when treated with > pegylated interferon alfa-2a (PEGASYS) as monotherapy or in > combination with ribavirin (COPEGUS). The criteria for a sustained > virologic response

means that after taking drugs for either six > months or 24 months, tests could not detect virus in the bloodstream. > If six months after stopping the drugs there was still no detectable > virus, the patient was said to have achieved a sustained virologic > response.> > Swain said that such patients should also be told that can be > considered cured.> > The study included three trials in which patients were treated with > monotherapy and six trials in which the combination treatment was > employed. Swain said the combination therapy is now considered > standard of care and as many as 66 percent of patients infected with > hepatitis C who faithfully take their antiviral medication -- usually > for 48 weeks -- are able to achieve the sustained virologic response.> > "Although the benefits of viral eradication have been well >

established, the overall durability of a sustained virologic response > is less well known," Swain explained.> > Of the patients who did achieve a sustained virologic response, 163 > patients who only had hepatitis C infections were treated with > peginterferon alfa-2a monotherapy; 741 patients were treated with > peginterferon alfa-2a monotherapy plus ribavirin combination therapy; > 93 patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and > hepatitis C were treated with either monotherapy or combination > therapy.> > "We found that a sustained virologic response is a sustained > virologic response whether it occurs in an immunosuppressed patient > due to disease such as HIV, or who has undergone transplantation and > requires immunosuppressive drugs," Swain said. There was no falloff > in response. Of the eight people who

relapsed or were re-infected, > just one patient in the combined hepatitis C-HIV group was listed as > a relapse. He also noted that only one of the eight cases involved a > patient who had taken a full course of treatment.> > Swain said that, due to the way the studies were conducted, it will > be impossible to determine if the patients indeed relapsed or were re-> infected. In only one case did a patient's records contain viable > virus for a DNA comparison to be made. In that case, the patient > appeared to become re-infected with a different strain of hepatitis > C. "We are never going to know the answer to whether these are > relapses or re-infections," he said.> > Forns told UPI that hepatitis can be contracted through injected drug > use, sexual contact and hospital-acquired infections. He said that > patients need to be

aware, however, that a cure does not mean that re-> infection can't occur if they continue to have risky activities.> > http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?feed=Science & article=UPI-1-> 20070412-16141800-bc-spain-Hepatitis Cure-analysis.xml> Jackie

[Guest guest]

The relapse rates are usually higher for geno 1's so if they were to exclude all geno 1's, the relapse rates would be much much lower... Sheena <mom4possums2002@...> wrote: So what the heck does that mean, that the hances of staying clear are not very good if you are only on treatment for 11 months? Not happy.. Sheena Prolongation of Interferon/Ribavirin Therapy to 18 Months Reduces Relapse Rates to 15 Percent or Less Treatment of chronic hepatitis C with interferon can be ineffective due to relapse. In the current randomized, double-blinded study, researchers aimed to reduce the 40% relapse rate of 6 months interferon-ribavirin combination therapy by prolonging treatment to 18

months. Three hundred treatment-naive hepatitis C patients were randomized to 18 months combination therapy with interferon (3MU tiw) and ribavirin (1000-1200 mg/day), 18 months interferon combined with placebo, or 6 months combination therapy with interferon and ribavirin. All 295 patients who received at least one dose of treatment were included in the intention to treat analysis. Results At the end of treatment, HCV RNA was undetectable in 55 and 49% of those on 6 and 18 months combination therapy, respectively, versus 26% of those on

monotherapy (P<0.001). The relapse rate was 38% for 6 months combination therapy, 38% for 18 months monotherapy, and only 13% for 18 months combination treatment (P=0.002). The sustained response rates were 34% for 6 months combination therapy, 16% for 18 months monotherapy and 43% for 18 months combination therapy (P<0.05). In conclusion, the authors note, “Reduction of relapse rates to 15% or less is feasible by prolongation of interferon-ribavirin treatment to 18 months.” 05/10/04 ReferenceJ T Brouwer and others (for the Benelux Study Group on Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C). Reduction of relapse rates by 18-month treatment in chronic hepatitis C. A Benelux randomized trial in 300 patients. Journal of Hepatology 40(4): 689-695. April 2004. Doctors use the C-word> > > Thought this was interesting. I'm seeing more Doctors calling SVR a > cure.> Lee> > Analysis: Total hepatitis C cure possible> By ED SUSMAN > BARCELONA, Spain, April 12 (UPI) -- Researchers meeting in Spain said > Thursday that hepatitis C patients who achieve a complete response to > treatment can be considered completely cured of the disease that can > result in cirrhosis, liver failure and death. > > "I tell my patients who achieve a sustained virologic response to go > home and get on with their lives," said Mark Swain, professor of

> medicine at the University of Calgary in Canada, who presented > results of an international trial at the opening session of the 42nd > European Association for the Study of the Liver in Barcelona, > Spain. "I tell them that there is less than a 0.5 percent chance that > the disease will ever return."> > In fact, of 997 patients who were able to achieve the complete > response, only 8 came down with the disease again, Swain said.> > "This is a very important message. We can cure people with this > disease," Xavier Forns, senior specialist in liver diseases at the > Hospital Clinic in Barcelona and a member of the program committee > for the conference, told United Press International.> > "We made this paper 'Abstract 1' because we thought this was a > significant finding that is important to our patients and to the > clinicians." >

> Swain identified the 997 patients from 9 clinical trials that tested > drugs either in monotherapy or in combination therapy. All these > patients had a sustained virologic response when treated with > pegylated interferon alfa-2a (PEGASYS) as monotherapy or in > combination with ribavirin (COPEGUS). The criteria for a sustained > virologic response means that after taking drugs for either six > months or 24 months, tests could not detect virus in the bloodstream. > If six months after stopping the drugs there was still no detectable > virus, the patient was said to have achieved a sustained virologic > response.> > Swain said that such patients should also be told that can be > considered cured.> > The study included three trials in which patients were treated with > monotherapy and six trials in which the combination treatment was

> employed. Swain said the combination therapy is now considered > standard of care and as many as 66 percent of patients infected with > hepatitis C who faithfully take their antiviral medication -- usually > for 48 weeks -- are able to achieve the sustained virologic response.> > "Although the benefits of viral eradication have been well > established, the overall durability of a sustained virologic response > is less well known," Swain explained.> > Of the patients who did achieve a sustained virologic response, 163 > patients who only had hepatitis C infections were treated with > peginterferon alfa-2a monotherapy; 741 patients were treated with > peginterferon alfa-2a monotherapy plus ribavirin combination therapy; > 93 patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and > hepatitis C were treated with either monotherapy or

combination > therapy.> > "We found that a sustained virologic response is a sustained > virologic response whether it occurs in an immunosuppressed patient > due to disease such as HIV, or who has undergone transplantation and > requires immunosuppressive drugs," Swain said. There was no falloff > in response. Of the eight people who relapsed or were re-infected, > just one patient in the combined hepatitis C-HIV group was listed as > a relapse. He also noted that only one of the eight cases involved a > patient who had taken a full course of treatment.> > Swain said that, due to the way the studies were conducted, it will > be impossible to determine if the patients indeed relapsed or were re-> infected. In only one case did a patient's records contain viable > virus for a DNA comparison to be made. In that case, the patient >

appeared to become re-infected with a different strain of hepatitis > C. "We are never going to know the answer to whether these are > relapses or re-infections," he said.> > Forns told UPI that hepatitis can be contracted through injected drug > use, sexual contact and hospital-acquired infections. He said that > patients need to be aware, however, that a cure does not mean that re-> infection can't occur if they continue to have risky activities.> > http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?feed=Science & article=UPI-1-> 20070412-16141800-bc-spain-Hepatitis Cure-analysis.xml> Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car"

smell?Check out new cars at Autos. Jackie

[Guest guest]

Lovely, well, if I make it to 48 weeks, I will ask my Doc about additional weeks, I sure don't want to have to do it all over again, I am already pushing 62.. Jackie on <redjaxjm@...> wrote: The relapse rates are usually higher for geno 1's so if they were to exclude all geno 1's, the relapse rates would be much much lower... Sheena

<mom4possums2002 > wrote: So what the heck does that mean, that the hances of staying clear are not very good if you are only on treatment for 11 months? Not happy.. Sheena Prolongation of Interferon/Ribavirin Therapy to 18 Months Reduces Relapse Rates to 15 Percent or Less Treatment of chronic hepatitis C with interferon can be ineffective due to relapse. In the current randomized, double-blinded study, researchers aimed to reduce the 40% relapse rate of 6 months interferon-ribavirin combination therapy by prolonging treatment to 18 months. Three hundred treatment-naive hepatitis C patients were randomized to 18 months combination therapy with interferon (3MU tiw) and ribavirin (1000-1200 mg/day), 18 months interferon combined with placebo, or 6 months combination therapy with interferon and ribavirin. All 295 patients who received at least one dose of

treatment were included in the intention to treat analysis. Results At the end of treatment, HCV RNA was undetectable in 55 and 49% of those on 6 and 18 months combination therapy, respectively, versus 26% of those on monotherapy (P<0.001). The relapse rate was 38% for 6 months combination therapy, 38% for 18 months monotherapy, and only 13% for 18 months combination treatment (P=0.002). The sustained response rates were 34% for 6 months combination therapy, 16% for 18 months monotherapy and 43% for 18 months

combination therapy (P<0.05). In conclusion, the authors note, “Reduction of relapse rates to 15% or less is feasible by prolongation of interferon-ribavirin treatment to 18 months.” 05/10/04 ReferenceJ T Brouwer and others (for the Benelux Study Group on Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C). Reduction of relapse rates by 18-month treatment in chronic hepatitis C. A Benelux randomized trial in 300 patients. Journal of Hepatology 40(4): 689-695. April 2004. Doctors use the C-word> > > Thought this was interesting. I'm seeing more Doctors calling SVR a > cure.> Lee> > Analysis: Total hepatitis

C cure possible> By ED SUSMAN > BARCELONA, Spain, April 12 (UPI) -- Researchers meeting in Spain said > Thursday that hepatitis C patients who achieve a complete response to > treatment can be considered completely cured of the disease that can > result in cirrhosis, liver failure and death. > > "I tell my patients who achieve a sustained virologic response to go > home and get on with their lives," said Mark Swain, professor of > medicine at the University of Calgary in Canada, who presented > results of an international trial at the opening session of the 42nd > European Association for the Study of the Liver in Barcelona, > Spain. "I tell them that there is less than a 0.5 percent chance that > the disease will ever return."> > In fact, of 997 patients who were able to achieve the complete > response, only 8 came down with the disease

again, Swain said.> > "This is a very important message. We can cure people with this > disease," Xavier Forns, senior specialist in liver diseases at the > Hospital Clinic in Barcelona and a member of the program committee > for the conference, told United Press International.> > "We made this paper 'Abstract 1' because we thought this was a > significant finding that is important to our patients and to the > clinicians." > > Swain identified the 997 patients from 9 clinical trials that tested > drugs either in monotherapy or in combination therapy. All these > patients had a sustained virologic response when treated with > pegylated interferon alfa-2a (PEGASYS) as monotherapy or in > combination with ribavirin (COPEGUS). The criteria for a sustained > virologic response means that after taking drugs for either six > months or 24 months,

tests could not detect virus in the bloodstream. > If six months after stopping the drugs there was still no detectable > virus, the patient was said to have achieved a sustained virologic > response.> > Swain said that such patients should also be told that can be > considered cured.> > The study included three trials in which patients were treated with > monotherapy and six trials in which the combination treatment was > employed. Swain said the combination therapy is now considered > standard of care and as many as 66 percent of patients infected with > hepatitis C who faithfully take their antiviral medication -- usually > for 48 weeks -- are able to achieve the sustained virologic response.> > "Although the benefits of viral eradication have been well > established, the overall durability of a sustained virologic response

> is less well known," Swain explained.> > Of the patients who did achieve a sustained virologic response, 163 > patients who only had hepatitis C infections were treated with > peginterferon alfa-2a monotherapy; 741 patients were treated with > peginterferon alfa-2a monotherapy plus ribavirin combination therapy; > 93 patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and > hepatitis C were treated with either monotherapy or combination > therapy.> > "We found that a sustained virologic response is a sustained > virologic response whether it occurs in an immunosuppressed patient > due to disease such as HIV, or who has undergone transplantation and > requires immunosuppressive drugs," Swain said. There was no falloff > in response. Of the eight people who relapsed or were re-infected, > just one patient in the combined

hepatitis C-HIV group was listed as > a relapse. He also noted that only one of the eight cases involved a > patient who had taken a full course of treatment.> > Swain said that, due to the way the studies were conducted, it will > be impossible to determine if the patients indeed relapsed or were re-> infected. In only one case did a patient's records contain viable > virus for a DNA comparison to be made. In that case, the patient > appeared to become re-infected with a different strain of hepatitis > C. "We are never going to know the answer to whether these are > relapses or re-infections," he said.> > Forns told UPI that hepatitis can be contracted through injected drug > use, sexual contact and hospital-acquired infections. He said that > patients need to be aware, however, that a cure does not mean that re-> infection can't

occur if they continue to have risky activities.> > http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?feed=Science & article=UPI-1-> 20070412-16141800-bc-spain-Hepatitis Cure-analysis.xml> Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell?Check out new cars at Autos. Jackie

Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check out

new cars at Autos.

[Guest guest]

The major problem is that there are so many groups researching and all the data seems to conflict with each other. One says one thing the other says something different . I try to post it all that way I stay in a neutral position lol But I just had to say something about the one you posted because it seemed so wrong .

Doctors use the C-word> > > > > > > > > Thought this was interesting. I'm seeing more Doctors calling > SVR > > a > > > cure.> > > Lee> > > > > > Analysis: Total hepatitis C cure possible> > > By ED SUSMAN > > > BARCELONA, Spain, April 12 (UPI) -- Researchers meeting in > Spain > > said > > > Thursday that hepatitis C patients who achieve a complete > > response to > > > treatment can be considered completely cured of the disease > that > > can > > > result in cirrhosis, liver failure and death. > > > > > > "I tell my patients who achieve a sustained virologic response > to > > go > > > home and get on with their lives," said Mark Swain, professor > of > > > medicine at the University of Calgary in Canada, who presented > > > results of an international trial at the opening session of the > > 42nd > > > European Association for the Study of the Liver in Barcelona, > > > Spain. "I tell them that there is less than a 0.5 percent > chance > > that > > > the disease will ever return."> > > > > > In fact, of 997 patients who were able to achieve the complete > > > response, only 8 came down with the disease again, Swain said.> > > > > > "This is a very important message. We can cure people with this > > > disease," Xavier Forns, senior specialist in liver diseases at > > the > > > Hospital Clinic in Barcelona and a member of the program > > committee > > > for the conference, told United Press International.> > > > > > "We made this paper 'Abstract 1' because we thought this was a > > > significant finding that is important to our patients and to > the > > > clinicians." > > > > > > Swain identified the 997 patients from 9 clinical trials that > > tested > > > drugs either in monotherapy or in combination therapy. All > these > > > patients had a sustained virologic response when treated with > > > pegylated interferon alfa-2a (PEGASYS) as monotherapy or in > > > combination with ribavirin (COPEGUS). The criteria for a > > sustained > > > virologic response means that after taking drugs for either six > > > months or 24 months, tests could not detect virus in the > > bloodstream. > > > If six months after stopping the drugs there was still no > > detectable > > > virus, the patient was said to have achieved a sustained > > virologic > > > response.> > > > > > Swain said that such patients should also be told that can be > > > considered cured.> > > > > > The study included three trials in which patients were treated > > with > > > monotherapy and six trials in which the combination treatment > was > > > employed. Swain said the combination therapy is now considered > > > standard of care and as many as 66 percent of patients infected > > with > > > hepatitis C who faithfully take their antiviral medication -- > > usually > > > for 48 weeks -- are able to achieve the sustained virologic > > response.> > > > > > "Although the benefits of viral eradication have been well > > > established, the overall durability of a sustained virologic > > response > > > is less well known," Swain explained.> > > > > > Of the patients who did achieve a sustained virologic response, > > 163 > > > patients who only had hepatitis C infections were treated with > > > peginterferon alfa-2a monotherapy; 741 patients were treated > with > > > peginterferon alfa-2a monotherapy plus ribavirin combination > > therapy; > > > 93 patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) > > and > > > hepatitis C were treated with either monotherapy or combination > > > therapy.> > > > > > "We found that a sustained virologic response is a sustained > > > virologic response whether it occurs in an immunosuppressed > > patient > > > due to disease such as HIV, or who has undergone > transplantation > > and > > > requires immunosuppressive drugs," Swain said. There was no > > falloff > > > in response. Of the eight people who relapsed or were re-> > infected, > > > just one patient in the combined hepatitis C-HIV group was > listed > > as > > > a relapse. He also noted that only one of the eight cases > > involved a > > > patient who had taken a full course of treatment.> > > > > > Swain said that, due to the way the studies were conducted, it > > will > > > be impossible to determine if the patients indeed relapsed or > > were re-> > > infected. In only one case did a patient's records contain > viable > > > virus for a DNA comparison to be made. In that case, the > patient > > > appeared to become re-infected with a different strain of > > hepatitis > > > C. "We are never going to know the answer to whether these are > > > relapses or re-infections," he said.> > > > > > Forns told UPI that hepatitis can be contracted through > injected > > drug > > > use, sexual contact and hospital-acquired infections. He said > > that > > > patients need to be aware, however, that a cure does not mean > > that re-> > > infection can't occur if they continue to have risky activities.> > > > > > http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?> > feed=Science & article=UPI-1-> > > 20070412-16141800-bc-spain-Hepatitis Cure-analysis.xml> > >> >>

[Guest guest]

Insurance companies I have found to be easy to manipulate , as long as the doctor prescribing is will to write of appeal to them . I remember when the insurance only wanted to give me 15 Zophran a month because it's so expensive the doc appealed for me and I won . Then the next insurance co didn't want to pay for the infergen , so I did same thing and won the appeal . Medical necessity wins out all the time , ya just have to have doc willing to help you .

Doctors use the C-word> > > Thought this was interesting. I'm seeing more Doctors calling SVR a > cure.> Lee> > Analysis: Total hepatitis C cure possible> By ED SUSMAN > BARCELONA, Spain, April 12 (UPI) -- Researchers meeting in Spain said > Thursday that hepatitis C patients who achieve a complete response to > treatment can be considered completely cured of the disease that can > result in cirrhosis, liver failure and death. > > "I tell my patients who achieve a sustained virologic response to go > home and get on with their lives," said Mark Swain, professor of > medicine at the University of Calgary in Canada, who presented > results of an international trial at the opening session of the 42nd > European Association for the Study of the Liver in Barcelona, > Spain. "I tell them that there is less than a 0.5 percent chance that > the disease will ever return."> > In fact, of 997 patients who were able to achieve the complete > response, only 8 came down with the disease again, Swain said.> > "This is a very important message. We can cure people with this > disease," Xavier Forns, senior specialist in liver diseases at the > Hospital Clinic in Barcelona and a member of the program committee > for the conference, told United Press International.> > "We made this paper 'Abstract 1' because we thought this was a > significant finding that is important to our patients and to the > clinicians." > > Swain identified the 997 patients from 9 clinical trials that tested > drugs either in monotherapy or in combination therapy. All these > patients had a sustained virologic response when treated with > pegylated interferon alfa-2a (PEGASYS) as monotherapy or in > combination with ribavirin (COPEGUS). The criteria for a sustained > virologic response means that after taking drugs for either six > months or 24 months, tests could not detect virus in the bloodstream. > If six months after stopping the drugs there was still no detectable > virus, the patient was said to have achieved a sustained virologic > response.> > Swain said that such patients should also be told that can be > considered cured.> > The study included three trials in which patients were treated with > monotherapy and six trials in which the combination treatment was > employed. Swain said the combination therapy is now considered > standard of care and as many as 66 percent of patients infected with > hepatitis C who faithfully take their antiviral medication -- usually > for 48 weeks -- are able to achieve the sustained virologic response.> > "Although the benefits of viral eradication have been well > established, the overall durability of a sustained virologic response > is less well known," Swain explained.> > Of the patients who did achieve a sustained virologic response, 163 > patients who only had hepatitis C infections were treated with > peginterferon alfa-2a monotherapy; 741 patients were treated with > peginterferon alfa-2a monotherapy plus ribavirin combination therapy; > 93 patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and > hepatitis C were treated with either monotherapy or combination > therapy.> > "We found that a sustained virologic response is a sustained > virologic response whether it occurs in an immunosuppressed patient > due to disease such as HIV, or who has undergone transplantation and > requires immunosuppressive drugs," Swain said. There was no falloff > in response. Of the eight people who relapsed or were re-infected, > just one patient in the combined hepatitis C-HIV group was listed as > a relapse. He also noted that only one of the eight cases involved a > patient who had taken a full course of treatment.> > Swain said that, due to the way the studies were conducted, it will > be impossible to determine if the patients indeed relapsed or were re-> infected. In only one case did a patient's records contain viable > virus for a DNA comparison to be made. In that case, the patient > appeared to become re-infected with a different strain of hepatitis > C. "We are never going to know the answer to whether these are > relapses or re-infections," he said.> > Forns told UPI that hepatitis can be contracted through injected drug > use, sexual contact and hospital-acquired infections. He said that > patients need to be aware, however, that a cure does not mean that re-> infection can't occur if they continue to have risky activities.> > http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?feed=Science & article=UPI-1-> 20070412-16141800-bc-spain-Hepatitis Cure-analysis.xml>

Jackie

[Guest guest]

well my insurance would NOT bend to my docs appeal for more procrit and neupo,, the first insurance company I was under had no problem providing adequate epo for me but remember half way through we went from United Health Care to a different one that I cannot even remember the name of right now,, and they initially refused to give me epo, they told the doc that if I was anemic to give me iron!!!! I was there when he was POUNDING HIS FIST on his desk demanding that I be allowed procrit,,they finally settled on ONE SHOT per week which was not enough to keep my numbers elevated and I slowly went downhill and had to stop tx... because ONE shot per week was NOT enough to keep my numbers up,, I remember Annita got one shot PER DAY of epo... elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote: Insurance companies I have found to be easy to manipulate , as long as the doctor prescribing is will to write of appeal to them . I remember when the insurance only wanted to give me 15 Zophran a month because it's so expensive the doc appealed for me and I won . Then the next insurance co didn't want to pay for the infergen , so I did same thing and won the appeal . Medical necessity wins out all the time , ya just have to have doc willing to help you . Doctors use the C-word> > > Thought this was interesting. I'm seeing more Doctors calling SVR a > cure.> Lee> > Analysis: Total hepatitis C cure possible> By ED SUSMAN > BARCELONA, Spain, April 12 (UPI) -- Researchers meeting in Spain said > Thursday that hepatitis C patients who achieve a complete response to > treatment can be considered completely cured of the disease that can > result in cirrhosis, liver failure and death. > > "I tell my patients who achieve a sustained virologic response to go > home and get on with their lives," said Mark Swain, professor of > medicine at the University of Calgary in Canada, who presented >

results of an international trial at the opening session of the 42nd > European Association for the Study of the Liver in Barcelona, > Spain. "I tell them that there is less than a 0.5 percent chance that > the disease will ever return."> > In fact, of 997 patients who were able to achieve the complete > response, only 8 came down with the disease again, Swain said.> > "This is a very important message. We can cure people with this > disease," Xavier Forns, senior specialist in liver diseases at the > Hospital Clinic in Barcelona and a member of the program committee > for the conference, told United Press International.> > "We made this paper 'Abstract 1' because we thought this was a > significant finding that is important to our patients and to the > clinicians." > > Swain identified the 997 patients from 9 clinical trials that

tested > drugs either in monotherapy or in combination therapy. All these > patients had a sustained virologic response when treated with > pegylated interferon alfa-2a (PEGASYS) as monotherapy or in > combination with ribavirin (COPEGUS). The criteria for a sustained > virologic response means that after taking drugs for either six > months or 24 months, tests could not detect virus in the bloodstream. > If six months after stopping the drugs there was still no detectable > virus, the patient was said to have achieved a sustained virologic > response.> > Swain said that such patients should also be told that can be > considered cured.> > The study included three trials in which patients were treated with > monotherapy and six trials in which the combination treatment was > employed. Swain said the combination therapy is now considered

> standard of care and as many as 66 percent of patients infected with > hepatitis C who faithfully take their antiviral medication -- usually > for 48 weeks -- are able to achieve the sustained virologic response.> > "Although the benefits of viral eradication have been well > established, the overall durability of a sustained virologic response > is less well known," Swain explained.> > Of the patients who did achieve a sustained virologic response, 163 > patients who only had hepatitis C infections were treated with > peginterferon alfa-2a monotherapy; 741 patients were treated with > peginterferon alfa-2a monotherapy plus ribavirin combination therapy; > 93 patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and > hepatitis C were treated with either monotherapy or combination > therapy.> > "We found that a

sustained virologic response is a sustained > virologic response whether it occurs in an immunosuppressed patient > due to disease such as HIV, or who has undergone transplantation and > requires immunosuppressive drugs," Swain said. There was no falloff > in response. Of the eight people who relapsed or were re-infected, > just one patient in the combined hepatitis C-HIV group was listed as > a relapse. He also noted that only one of the eight cases involved a > patient who had taken a full course of treatment.> > Swain said that, due to the way the studies were conducted, it will > be impossible to determine if the patients indeed relapsed or were re-> infected. In only one case did a patient's records contain viable > virus for a DNA comparison to be made. In that case, the patient > appeared to become re-infected with a different strain of

hepatitis > C. "We are never going to know the answer to whether these are > relapses or re-infections," he said.> > Forns told UPI that hepatitis can be contracted through injected drug > use, sexual contact and hospital-acquired infections. He said that > patients need to be aware, however, that a cure does not mean that re-> infection can't occur if they continue to have risky activities.> > http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?feed=Science & article=UPI-1-> 20070412-16141800-bc-spain-Hepatitis Cure-analysis.xml> Jackie Jackie

[Guest guest]

sweetie, if you clear early, then you might not have to do extended tx,,, ya know?Sheena <mom4possums2002@...> wrote: Lovely, well, if I make it to 48 weeks, I will ask my Doc about additional weeks, I sure don't want to have to do it all over again, I am already pushing 62.. Jackie on <redjaxjm > wrote: The relapse rates are usually higher for geno 1's so if they were to exclude all geno 1's, the relapse rates would be much much lower... Sheena <mom4possums2002 > wrote: So what the heck does that mean, that the hances of staying clear are not very good if you are only on treatment for 11 months? Not happy.. Sheena Prolongation of Interferon/Ribavirin Therapy to 18 Months Reduces Relapse Rates to 15 Percent or Less Treatment of chronic hepatitis C with interferon can be ineffective due to relapse. In the current randomized, double-blinded study, researchers aimed to reduce the 40% relapse rate of 6 months interferon-ribavirin combination therapy by prolonging treatment to 18 months. Three hundred treatment-naive hepatitis C

patients were randomized to 18 months combination therapy with interferon (3MU tiw) and ribavirin (1000-1200 mg/day), 18 months interferon combined with placebo, or 6 months combination therapy with interferon and ribavirin. All 295 patients who received at least one dose of treatment were included in the intention to treat analysis. Results At the end of treatment, HCV RNA was undetectable in 55 and 49% of those on 6 and 18 months combination therapy, respectively, versus 26% of those on monotherapy (P<0.001). The relapse rate was 38% for 6 months combination therapy, 38% for 18 months monotherapy, and only 13% for 18 months combination treatment (P=0.002). The sustained response rates were 34% for 6 months combination therapy, 16% for 18 months monotherapy and 43% for 18 months combination therapy (P<0.05). In conclusion, the authors note, “Reduction of relapse rates to 15% or less is feasible by prolongation of interferon-ribavirin treatment to 18 months.” 05/10/04 ReferenceJ T Brouwer and others (for the Benelux Study Group on Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C). Reduction of relapse rates by 18-month treatment in chronic hepatitis C. A Benelux randomized trial in 300 patients. Journal of Hepatology 40(4): 689-695. April 2004. Doctors use the C-word> > > Thought this was interesting. I'm seeing more Doctors calling SVR a > cure.> Lee> > Analysis: Total hepatitis C cure possible> By ED SUSMAN > BARCELONA, Spain, April 12 (UPI) -- Researchers meeting in Spain said > Thursday that hepatitis C patients who achieve a complete response to > treatment can be considered completely cured of the disease that can > result in cirrhosis, liver failure and death. > > "I tell my patients who achieve a sustained virologic response to go > home and get on with their lives," said Mark Swain, professor of > medicine at the University of Calgary in Canada, who presented > results of an

international trial at the opening session of the 42nd > European Association for the Study of the Liver in Barcelona, > Spain. "I tell them that there is less than a 0.5 percent chance that > the disease will ever return."> > In fact, of 997 patients who were able to achieve the complete > response, only 8 came down with the disease again, Swain said.> > "This is a very important message. We can cure people with this > disease," Xavier Forns, senior specialist in liver diseases at the > Hospital Clinic in Barcelona and a member of the program committee > for the conference, told United Press International.> > "We made this paper 'Abstract 1' because we thought this was a > significant finding that is important to our patients and to the > clinicians." > > Swain identified the 997 patients from 9 clinical trials that tested >

drugs either in monotherapy or in combination therapy. All these > patients had a sustained virologic response when treated with > pegylated interferon alfa-2a (PEGASYS) as monotherapy or in > combination with ribavirin (COPEGUS). The criteria for a sustained > virologic response means that after taking drugs for either six > months or 24 months, tests could not detect virus in the bloodstream. > If six months after stopping the drugs there was still no detectable > virus, the patient was said to have achieved a sustained virologic > response.> > Swain said that such patients should also be told that can be > considered cured.> > The study included three trials in which patients were treated with > monotherapy and six trials in which the combination treatment was > employed. Swain said the combination therapy is now considered > standard of

care and as many as 66 percent of patients infected with > hepatitis C who faithfully take their antiviral medication -- usually > for 48 weeks -- are able to achieve the sustained virologic response.> > "Although the benefits of viral eradication have been well > established, the overall durability of a sustained virologic response > is less well known," Swain explained.> > Of the patients who did achieve a sustained virologic response, 163 > patients who only had hepatitis C infections were treated with > peginterferon alfa-2a monotherapy; 741 patients were treated with > peginterferon alfa-2a monotherapy plus ribavirin combination therapy; > 93 patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and > hepatitis C were treated with either monotherapy or combination > therapy.> > "We found that a sustained virologic response

is a sustained > virologic response whether it occurs in an immunosuppressed patient > due to disease such as HIV, or who has undergone transplantation and > requires immunosuppressive drugs," Swain said. There was no falloff > in response. Of the eight people who relapsed or were re-infected, > just one patient in the combined hepatitis C-HIV group was listed as > a relapse. He also noted that only one of the eight cases involved a > patient who had taken a full course of treatment.> > Swain said that, due to the way the studies were conducted, it will > be impossible to determine if the patients indeed relapsed or were re-> infected. In only one case did a patient's records contain viable > virus for a DNA comparison to be made. In that case, the patient > appeared to become re-infected with a different strain of hepatitis > C. "We are

never going to know the answer to whether these are > relapses or re-infections," he said.> > Forns told UPI that hepatitis can be contracted through injected drug > use, sexual contact and hospital-acquired infections. He said that > patients need to be aware, however, that a cure does not mean that re-> infection can't occur if they continue to have risky activities.> > http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?feed=Science & article=UPI-1-> 20070412-16141800-bc-spain-Hepatitis Cure-analysis.xml> Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell?Check out new cars at Autos. Jackie Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell?Check out new cars at Autos. Jackie