Hepatitis C News Feed

The Caring Ambassadors Program mission is to help improve the lives of those affected by long-term diseases through advocacy, information, and support.

Hepatitis C News

Week Ending January 22, 2012

New Hepatitis C Support Helpline - 877-HELP-4-HEP (877-435-7443)
“The Support Partnership, a collaboration of nationally recognized hepatitis C organizations, has launched a peer-managed toll-free helpline for people affected by hepatitis C. Experienced counselors provide information, emotional support, referrals and optional follow-up assistance to help callers navigate the complexities of screening, testing, treatment decisions and treatment.”

Hepatitis C treatment with antivirals is effective: study
“A major advance in treating hepatitis C appears to be on the horizon. Researchers reported Wednesday that combining two antiviral medications was effective in stopping the infection in some patients who were not helped by the traditional treatment.”

Community Health Center launches new video conferencing technology
MIDDLETOWN. CT – “Community Health Center unveiled a new tool Friday that will allow it to lend the expertise of CHC HIV specialist to other CHC clinics that do not have such specialists.”

Funding for needle exchange programs drying up
Advocates say the public should consider the cost-effectiveness of the programs, which help to prevent the spread of diseases.
AUGUSTA – “Hypodermic needle exchange programs in Maine, which collected more than a quarter–million syringes in a recent 12-month period, are running into serious funding problems because of the poor economy, say officials who oversee the programs.”

Hepatitis C infection identified as leading risk factor for HCC
“Liver–scarring diseases such as cirrhosis from alcohol consumption continue to present a high risk for the development hepatocellular carcinoma, but hepatitis C infection has been identified as the leading risk factor, according study results published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings.”

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Hepatitis C Pills Clear Virus Without Injections
“Bristol–Myers Squibb Company today announced the full results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, from a Phase II clinical trial in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 who had not responded to prior therapy with PEG–interferon alfa and ribavirin (‘null responders’1). The study demonstrated that its primary endpoint of the achievement of sustained virologic response 12–weeks post–treatment (SVR12) is possible with a direct–acting antiviral (DAA)–only combination containing daclatasvir and asunaprevir (4/11 patients, including two of two patients infected with HCV genotype 1b). This study was the first study to demonstrate the possibility that hepatitis C can be cured (defined as sustained virologic response 48 weeks post–treatment or SVR48) without the use of interferon. The study also demonstrated that 100 percent (10/10) of these difficult–to–treat patients dosed with quadruple therapy containing daclatasvir and asunaprevir in combination with PEG–Interferon alfa and ribavirin achieved SVR12.”

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