Articles tagged with Hepatitis C
Researchers have developed a genetically humanized mouse model for hepatitis C, enabling the testing of molecules that block the virus's entry into cells. The new model has the potential to serve as a critical role in prioritizing drug and vaccine candidates.
Project ECHO demonstrates that primary care providers can be trained to manage complex chronic conditions via videoconferencing technology, expanding their ability to treat very sick patients. The model has been shown to improve treatment outcomes and reduce racial and ethnic disparities in minority communities.
Researchers have identified a novel hepatitis C-like virus in dogs, providing new insights into the origins of the human disease. The discovery offers renewed hope for developing a model system to study HCV's mechanisms and may lead to the development of drugs and vaccines.
Research at DDW 2011 presents innovative detection practices to increase liver disease detection rates and prevent premature death. Vaccination rates against hepatitis A and B in patients with chronic liver disease are low, highlighting the need for increased vaccination efforts.
Researchers have identified two bioflavonoids, catechin and naringenin, with antiviral activity against hepatitis C virus. These compounds, combined with existing flavonoid quercetin, may provide a promising therapy for millions of people worldwide.
A team of researchers from Rockefeller University has carried out a comprehensive evaluation of the antiviral activity of interferon-induced factors, revealing unique subsets of genes that inhibit various viruses. The study found that specific combinations of genes can be more potent than individual ones in suppressing viral replication.
A three-year follow-up study of patients with chronic hepatitis C who received long-term peginterferon therapy found increased mortality rates attributed to non-liver related causes, primarily in patients with bridging fibrosis. The excess mortality was mainly linked to unrelated complications and did not emerge until three years into ...
In a Phase IIb study of 526 treatment-naive hepatitis C patients, PEG-Interferon lambda achieved higher rates of rapid virologic response and complete early virologic response compared to PEG-Interferon alfa. The study also showed fewer flu-like symptoms and cytopenias in the PEG-Interferon lambda arms.
A Phase II dose-ranging study of BMS-790052 plus PEG-interferon alfa and ribavirin showed higher rates of sustained virologic response compared to PEG-interferon alfa and ribavirin alone. The regimen achieved up to 92% SVR12 in treatment-naïve patients with hepatitis C genotype 1.
A new hepatitis C drug, boceprevir, has shown significant promise in treating patients with hard-to-treat cases. The study found that the drug helped cure more patients than traditional treatment methods within 36 weeks.
A new three-drug cocktail has been shown to eliminate the hepatitis C virus in patients more effectively than the current two-drug regimen, with significantly higher rates of sustained virologic response. This breakthrough treatment offers new hope for patients who have not responded to previous therapy.
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation has awarded four new grants to improve HBV and HCV awareness, prevention and care in China and India. The grants aim to reduce hepatitis-related health disparities in Asia, with a focus on mobilizing local communities' healthcare armaments.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a new vaccine technology that stimulates and accelerates the immune system to show its defense mechanisms against hepatitis C virus. The technology works by presenting a larger section of the internal molecule, allowing the immune defenses to recognize and respond to it.
A new study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that 36 patients out of 1,800 HIV-infected men were diagnosed with hepatitis C, with 25% having a history of injection drug use. The study emphasizes the need for continued screening and awareness of risk behaviors among HIV-infected individuals.
A recent study found that despite a significant decline in HIV infection rates, new cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have declined only slightly among injection drug users. The findings suggest that current prevention efforts must be intensified to reduce the risk of HCV infection, particularly among younger IDUs.
Scientists have identified a protein biomarker that predicts the efficacy of hepatitis C treatment, enabling improved patient management. The discovery of IP-10 as a prognostic biomarker could lead to the development of a diagnostic test to distinguish between effective and ineffective treatments.
Researchers found that the core protein interacts with non-structural helicase protein, playing a critical role in viral replication. This new understanding supports a potential new therapeutic target for hepatitis C drug development and may prevent production of infectious viral particles.
A new study reveals that telaprevir significantly improves sustained viral response rates for first-time hepatitis C patients to 75%, even for African-Americans and those with advanced liver fibrosis. The regimen's shorter treatment time also produces lower discontinuation rates for side effects compared to standard therapy.
New data from Phase 3 studies demonstrated telaprevir-based combination therapy achieved higher viral cure rates (75%) compared to current therapies, with significant improvements in response to treatment across various patient groups. African Americans and those with advanced liver fibrosis or cirrhosis also showed improved SVR rates.
A recent study by Henry Ford Hospital found that the race of liver donors may impact recurrent hepatitis C in patients after liver transplant. Patients receiving white cadaveric donor grafts had significantly more aggressive recurrent hepatitis C than those receiving grafts from African-American donors, regardless of recipient race. Th...
A new oral direct-acting antiviral drug combination has shown promising antiviral activity in patients with chronic hepatitis C. The treatment, which combines RG7128 and danoprevir, was well-tolerated and resulted in a significant reduction in viral load in some patients.
Researchers found that weight-based dosing of taribavirin achieves comparable efficacy to ribavirin for treating chronic hepatitis C, with lower rates of anemia. The study suggests a safer alternative for HCV treatment while maintaining efficacy.
A new antiviral drug has shown significant promise in treating hepatitis C, particularly in patients with genotype 1, the most difficult to treat. Adding the drug nearly doubled the treatment's effectiveness when given for 48 weeks.
The SPRINT-1 study found that adding boceprevir to standard hepatitis C treatment can significantly increase the response rate for genotype 1 patients. The addition of boceprevir to peginterferon and ribavirin regimens resulted in higher rates of sustained virological response compared to the control group.
A UBC study found that youth and prison inmates with multiple tattoos are at higher risk of contracting hepatitis C. The study recommends improving hygiene and infection-control guidelines for tattoo artists and clients to prevent the spread of blood-borne diseases.
A new virus related to hepatitis C has been discovered in Asian bats, which may provide insights into the origins of the virus and its transmission to humans. The virus, identified as GBV-D, is found in the saliva of infected bats, suggesting a potential mechanism for transmission to other hosts.
A small genetic change in the IL28B gene can predict how well individuals with hepatitis C will respond to treatment. Those carrying this protective allele are more likely to clear the virus and respond to therapy.
Patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection have a higher risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) if they experience increased insulin resistance, regardless of their presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Insulin resistance is associated with fibrosis progression and poor antiviral therapy responses in these patients.
A prescription drug, imiquimod, has been found to boost the effectiveness of future vaccines for bacterial and viral diseases like HIV and hepatitis C. Scientists have coated imiquimod with dextran-based microparticles, significantly increasing the efficiency of cellular uptake by immune cells.
A recent study found that extending hepatitis C treatment for liver transplant patients beyond current standards results in high clearance rates of the virus from the blood. The study also showed a low relapse rate, with only two patients out of 66 eligible for treatment experiencing relapse.
Researchers found that between 93 and 100% of treatment-naïve G1 HCV patients achieved a sustained virologic response after 24 weeks of treatment if they had a fast antiviral response to Telaprevir and Peginterferon. The study showed that a twice daily dose of Telaprevir was as effective as three times a day.
Adding telaprevir to standard treatment increases hepatitis C cure rate by 52% for patients who initially failed to respond. The experimental drug also confirms the importance of ribavirin in effective treatment, with 24% of patients receiving telaprevir and peginterferon being virus-free at six months.
A new concept of early viral kinetics in peg-interferon therapy has been proposed, showing a high probability of sustained virological response in 92.1% of patients. The study suggests that a short treatment period can be efficient and safe, reducing the risk of adverse events.
Researchers at Henry Ford Hospital found that patients with hepatitis C infection were nearly twice as likely to develop kidney cancer as those without the disease. The study, published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, suggests a higher risk for younger HCV-positive patients.
Researchers found that telaprevir, combined with standard treatment, cures a significantly higher number of difficult-to-treat patients than standard treatment alone. The addition of telaprevir eliminated hepatitis C in over 50 percent of patients who had shown no response to previous treatment.
A Johns Hopkins study found that more than half of donor kidneys infected with hepatitis C are discarded, despite the need among hepatitis C patients who may die waiting for an infection-free organ. The study suggests that using hepatitis C-positive kidneys could help those with hepatitis C and expand the organ supply.
A team of scientists has identified a potential new target for treating hepatitis C by discovering an inhibitor that binds to the genetic material of the virus, causing a major conformational change that prevents replication. This finding provides a basis for structure-based design of new hepatitis C treatments.
Researchers have discovered that hepatitis C causes high insulin resistance primarily in muscles, not livers. This finding may lead to better management and prevention of diabetes among those with Hepatitis C, particularly for those at genetic risk.
Researchers at the South West Liver Unit are working on a groundbreaking project to find a vaccine for Hepatitis C. They have identified a group of people who were naturally immune to the disease and are studying how their white blood cells interact with liver cells and the body's immune system.
Scientists at Duke University have discovered that a genetic alteration linked to a benign enzyme condition protects some hepatitis C patients from developing hemolytic anemia. This finding opens the door to treatment for previously untreatable patients and may also hold the key to preventing anemia in the first place.
Researchers at MIT and Rockefeller University have successfully grown hepatitis C virus in lab-grown liver cells, allowing for testing of new treatments. The innovation enables prolonged cell survival and reproduction, enabling scientists to study the virus's responses to different drugs.
Researchers identified a novel class of compounds that inhibit HCV replication by disrupting a critical virus-initiated activity, offering a prospect for inhibiting viral replication with minimal toxicity. The compounds were found through an in vitro assay and demonstrated effectiveness against HCV's replication cycle.
A phase II study found that adding ketoprofen to pegylated-interferon (PEG-IFN) with or without ribavirin improves viral kinetics and early activation of the IFNa signaling pathway. This combination therapy shows promise for treating genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C.
Two head-to-head studies found that Peginterferon alpha-2a (PegIFNα2a) plus ribavirin (RBV) produces a significantly higher sustained virological response (SVR) rate than peginterferon alpha-2b (PegIFNα2b) plus RBV for patients with chronic hepatitis C. The SVR rates were 66% and 54% for PegIFNα2a and PegIFNα2b, respectively.
The global spread of HCV 1a and 1b subtypes coincided with transfused blood use and intravenous drug expansion, but slowed after anti-HCV screening implementation. Phylogeographical analysis suggests the most plausible route was from developed to developing world.
A study published in Science reveals that SPC3649 successfully inhibits miR-122, a microRNA important for hepatitis C viral replication, significantly reducing the virus in the bloodstream and liver of chimpanzees chronically infected with HCV. The therapy's unique mechanism of action sets it apart from direct antiviral treatments.
Researchers found that patients with more difficult-to-treat forms of hepatitis C are less likely to initiate treatment, with marital status and comorbidities being significant factors. Mount Sinai is now launching a program to increase support systems for patients, aiming to improve treatment rates.
A new study found that extending hepatitis C treatment after liver transplant results in high rates of virus clearance and a low relapse rate, with only 8 percent of patients experiencing a relapse after 52 weeks of treatment.
Patients with chronic hepatitis C who drink three or more cups of coffee per day have a lower risk of liver disease progression compared to non-coffee drinkers. The study found no association between tea intake and liver disease progression.
Researchers discovered a genetic variation near the interferon gene IL28B associated with people's response to treatment. This finding could lead to the development of a diagnostic test and more effective treatments for hepatitis C, reducing adverse effects and improving outcomes.
Johns Hopkins researchers identified a strong genetic alteration associated with the ability to clear hepatitis C without treatment. The study found that people carrying a specific variation of the IL28B gene were more likely to successfully eliminate the virus from their bodies.
A study published in Gastroenterology found that men with chronic hepatitis C undergoing antiviral therapy experience common sexual dysfunction, including impairment of desire, function, and satisfaction. The average onset of sexual dysfunction was within four weeks of starting therapy.
A study found that CD14 rs2569190/C-159T gene variants are associated with the formation of portal lymphoid aggregates in chronic hepatitis C patients. These aggregates were also correlated with moderate and severe hepatic inflammation, but not with fibrosis progression.
Researchers identified a genetic marker that predicts response to hepatitis C treatments, revealing a single-letter DNA change near the IL28B gene. This discovery explains why African-Americans and East Asians respond differently to treatment, highlighting individual genetic makeup as a key determinant of response.
Researchers from Heidelberg University Hospital have identified a new target for treating chronic hepatitis C: the protein cyclophilin A. Inhibiting this protein blocks virus replication and has two complementary effects, making it a promising approach to therapy.
A chemical found in blueberry leaves has shown a strong effect in blocking the replication of the Hepatitis C virus, which affects 200 million people worldwide. The compound, proanthocyanidin, is similar to chemicals found in grapes and wine and is considered safe as a dietary supplement.
A two-year study found that three treatment combinations for clearing the most common form of hepatitis C virus work equally well, with about 40% clearance rates. Researchers also noted that women achieved higher rates of virus clearance with the standard dose of peginterferon alfa-2b.
A landmark study finds that treatment with either of two standard antiviral drug therapies is safe and offers the best way for people infected with hepatitis C to prevent liver scarring, organ failure and death. The study showed that treating patients in early or less advanced stages of the disease leads to higher success rates.
A large study comparing widely used treatments for chronic hepatitis C infection found similar safety and efficacy in achieving long-term viral eradication. However, subgroup analysis revealed that certain approaches may be better suited for women and minorities, with some treatments showing higher success rates in these groups.
A $15 million NIH grant will support a five-year research consortium at Massachusetts General Hospital to study how the hepatitis C virus evades the immune system. The project aims to improve understanding of liver cell involvement in HCV infection and develop new treatments for chronic viral infections.