Hepatitis C Caring
Ambassadors Program Newsletter
April 2004
In The News
Hepatitis C scare halts use of surgical adhesive
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/newse/20050427wo71.htm
Wait twelve weeks before treating acute HCV in HIV-positive patients. Gilleece YC et al. Is the treatment of acute hepatitis C in HIV-positive individuals effective?. Eleventh Annual Conference of the British HIV Association, Abstract O26, Dublin, April 20 – 23rd, 2005.
http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/414EA10C-33FB-4689-B586-8DB5F4A2CEF6.asp
Hepatitis C Can Be Sexually Transmitted
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=8287010
Aethlon Medical Sends HIV-AIDS & Hepatitis-C Treatment Technology to India
Grits agree to extend hepatitis C benefits
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050420.wxhepc0421/BNStory/National/
Patients alerted over Hepatitis C: A group of women who were treated at three Scottish hospitals are being screened for Hepatitis C.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/4460381.stm
Human Genome Sciences Hepatitis C Drug Passes Test
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=8185669
New Data on Most Prescribed Hepatitis C Therapy Pegasys(R) Presented at European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Conference: Roche continues pioneering research to enhance treatment for hepatitis C patients
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050415/nyf011.html?.v=5
McGuinty government appoints members of Hepatitis C Task Force: Chair, 16-Member Panel To Examine Hepatitis C Prevention And Treatment [Canada]
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2005/04/c1850.html Hepatitis C action 'inadequate’: The government is not doing enough to stem a "tidal wave" of hepatitis C in the UK, MPs have said.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4369199.stm Hepatitis C Antibodies May Be Slow to Appearhttp://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=8027746 Hepatitis C Treatment Makes Economic Sense [New Zealand]http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0504/S00002.htm Valeant Pharmaceuticals Presents Final Analyses of Viramidine Phase 2 Clinical Trial at EASL; Viramidine Phase 2 SVR Data Presented in Detail; Four Valeant Abstracts Accepted for Presentation at EASLhttp://www.valeant.com/mediaCenter/newsArticle/newsArticle.jspf?objectId=4096
Clinical Trials, Cohort Studies, Pilot Studies Etanercept as an adjuvant to interferon and ribavirin in treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection: a phase 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Zein NN, et al. J Hepatol. 2005 Mar;42(3):315-22.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15791697 Is the management of hepatitis C patients appropriate? A population-based study. Hatem C, et al. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2005 Apr 15;21(8):1007-15.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15813837 Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus and associated risk behaviours: a population-based study in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Perez CM, et al. Int J Epidemiol. 2005 Mar 31; [Epub ahead of print].
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15802378 Usefulness of combined measurement of serum bile acids and ferritin as additional prognostic markers to predict failure to reach sustained response to antiviral treatment in chronic hepatitis C. Jorquera F, et al. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2005 Apr;20(4):547-54.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15836702 Pegylated versus standard interferon-alpha in antiviral regimens for post-transplant recurrent hepatitis C: Comparison of tolerability and efficacy. Toniutto P, et al. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2005 Apr;20(4):577-582.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15836706 The accuracy of the report of hepatic steatosis on ultrasonography in patients infected with hepatitis C in a clinical setting: A retrospective observational study. Hepburn MJ, et al. BMC Gastroenterol. 2005 Apr 13;5(1):14 [Epub ahead of print].
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15829009&dopt=Abstract Additional effect of low iron diet on iron reduction therapy by phlebotomy for chronic hepatitis C. Kimura F, et al. Hepatogastroenterology. 2005 Mar-Apr;52(62):563-6.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15816478&dopt=Abstract Treatment of chronic hepatitis C in patients unresponsive to interferon. Interest of re-treatment combining interferon induction therapy and ribavirin (a multicenter pilot study). Causse X, et al. Gastroenterol Clin Biol. 2005 Feb;29(2):117-21.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15795657&dopt=Abstract
Prevalence and significance of neurocognitive dysfunction in hepatitis C in the absence of correlated risk factors. McAndrews MP, et al. Hepatology. 2005 Apr;41(4):801-8.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15793853 Late liver-related mortality from complications of transfusion-acquired hepatitis C. Kamitsukasa H, et al. Hepatology. 2005 Apr;41(4):819-25.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15793849&dopt=Abstract Peginterferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin treatment in children and adolescents with chronic hepatitis C. Wirth S, et al. Hepatology. 2005 Mar 25;41(5):1013-1018.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15793840&dopt=Abstract Prospective evaluation of community-acquired acute-phase hepatitis C virus infection. Cox AL, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2005 Apr 1;40(7):951-8.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15824985
Basic and Applied Science, Pre-Clinical Studies Evolution of the intrahepatic T cell repertoire during chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Giuggio VM, Bonkovsky HL, Rothman AL. Viral Immunol. 2005;18(1):179-89.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15802962 Transforming growth factor-beta1 gene polymorphisms are associated with progression of liver fibrosis in Caucasians with chronic hepatitis C infection. Wang H, et al. World J Gastroenterol. 2005;11(13):1929-36.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15800982 Effect of heptitis C virus core protein on cellular gene expression: specific inhibition of cyclooxygenase 2. Jhaveri R, Kundu P, Shapiro AM, Venkatesan A, Dasgupta A. J Infect Dis. 2005 May 1;191(9):1498-506.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15809909 Changes of ECM and CAM gene expression profile in the cirrhotic liver after HCV infection: Analysis by cDNA expression array. Xu X, et al. World J Gastroenterol. 2005 Apr 14;11(14):2184-7.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15810090 Early dynamics of hepatitis C virus in the circulation of chimpanzees with experimental infection. Tanaka J, et al. Intervirology. 2005 Mar-Jun;48(2-3):120-3.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15812184 Single nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotypes in the IL10 region associated with HCV clearance. Oleksyk TK, et al. Genes Immun. 2005 Apr 7; [Epub ahead of print]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15815689 Immunogenic Properties of a Chimeric Plant Virus Expressing a Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)-Derived Epitope: New Prospects for an HCV Vaccine. Piazzolla G, et al. J Clin Immunol. 2005 Mar;25(2):142-52.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15821891 Hyperhomocysteinemia and the MTHFR C677T polymorphism promote steatosis and fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C patients. Adinolphi LE, et al. Hepatology. 2005 Apr 15;41(5):995-1003.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15834927 Upregulation of transferrin receptor 2 and ferroportin 1 mRNA in the liver of patients with chronic hepatitis C. Takeo M, et al. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2005 Apr;20(4):562-9.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15836704 Mizoribine inhibits hepatitis C virus RNA replication: Effect of combination with interferon-alpha. Naka K, et al. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2005 May 13;330(3):871-9.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15809077&dopt=Abstract Hepatitis C virus replicates in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with occult hepatitis C virus infection. Castillo I, et al. Gut. 2005 May;54(5):682-5.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15831916&dopt=Abstract Diagnosis of hepatitis C virus related acute hepatitis by serial determination of IgM anti-HCV titres. Sagnelli E, et al. J Hepatol. 2005 May;42(5):646-51.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15826712&dopt=Abstract Fibrosis correlates with a ductular reaction in hepatitis C: roles of impaired replication, progenitor cells and steatosis. Clouston AD, et al. Hepatology. 2005 Apr;41(4):809-18.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15793848&dopt=Abstract Escape mutations alter proteasome processing of major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted epitopes in persistent hepatitis C virus infection. Kimura Y, et al. J Virol. 2005 Apr;79(8):4870-6.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15795272&dopt=Abstract
HIV/HCV Coinfection Response to interferon-based therapies in HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis C due to genotype 4. Soriano V, et al. Antivir Ther. 2005;10(1):167-70.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15751774 Changing mortality rates and causes of death for HIV-infected individuals living in Southern Alberta, Canada from 1984 to 2003. Krentz HB, Kliewer G, Gill MJ. HIV Med. 2005 Mar;6(2):99-106.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15807715 HIV coinfection shortens the survival of patients with hepatitis C virus-related decompensated cirrhosis. Pineda JA, et al. Hepatology. 2005 Apr;41(4):779-89.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15800956 Mitochondrial DNA depletion in liver tissue of patients infected with hepatitis C virus: contributing effect of HIV infection? Bauerle J, et al. HIV Med. 2005 Mar;6(2):135-9.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15807720 Hepatitis C augments cognitive deficits associated with HIV infection and methamphetamine. Cherner M, et al. Neurology. 2005 Apr 7; [Epub ahead of print].
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15817932 HIV coinfection shortens the survival of patients with hepatitis C virus-related decompensated cirrhosis. Pineda JA, et al. Hepatology. 2005 Apr;41(4):779-89.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15800956&dopt=Abstract
Complementary and Alternative Therapies Oral silymarin for chronic hepatitis C - a retrospective analysis comparing three dose regimens. Huber R, Futter I, Ludtke R. Eur J Med Res. 2005 Feb 28;10(2):68-70.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15817425 Oxidative stress in chronic hepatitis C: a preliminary study on the protective effects of antioxidant flavonoids. Emerit I, et al. Hepatogastroenterology. 2005 Mar-Apr;52(62):530-6.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15816472&dopt=Abstract
Miscellaneous Works In situ identification of hepatitis C virus RNA in muscle. Ito H, et al. Neurology. 2005 Mar 22;64(6):1073-5.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15781833 Impact of hepatitis C on health related quality of life: a systematic review and quantitative assessment. Speigel BM, et al. Hepatology. 2005 Apr;41(4):790-800.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15791608 Estimating the impact of hepatitis C virus therapy on future liver-related morbidity, mortality and costs related to chronic hepatitis C. Buti M, et al. J Hepatol. 2005 May;42(5):639-45.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15826711&dopt=Abstract
Analytical variability of the Fibrotest proteins. Rosenthal-Allieri MA, et al. Clin Biochem. 2005 May;38(5):473-8.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15820779 Usefulness of the hepatitis C virus core antigen assay for screening of a population undergoing routine medical checkup. Gaudy C. et al. J Clin Microbiol. 2005 Apr;43(4):1722-6.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15814991 Biopsychosocial predictors of fatigue in chronic hepatitis C. Hilsabeck RC, Hassanein TI, Perry W. J Psychosom Res. 2005 Feb;58(2):173-178.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15820845 Sexual transmission of HCV between spouses. Tahan V, et al. Am J Gastroenterol. 2005 Apr;100(4):821-4.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15784025 The hepatitis C crisis. St John TM, Sandt L. Ethn Dis. 2005 Spring;15(2 Suppl 2):S52-7.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15822840
Abstracts of interest: 40th Annual Meeting EASL, Apr. 13-17, 2005. Paris, Fr.
NOTE: Abstracts of the meeting can be searched for and viewed at http://www.kenes.com/easl2005sci/program/search.asp
Modeling the natural course of chronic hepatitis C: validation and clinical implications. Veldt BJ, et al. Abstract 615.
Long-term progression of fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) non-responders to interferon therapy (IFN). A longitudinal study of repeat liver biopsies. Cirera I, et al. Abstract 555.
Virologic response and safety outcomes in therapy-naïve patients treated for chronic hepatitis C with viramidine in combination with pegylated interferon alfa-2a. Gish RG, et al. Abstract 91.
Tolerability and immunogenicity of HCV E1 therapeutic vaccination in patients with chronic hepatitis C on interferon plus ribavirin. Horsmans Y, et al. Abstract 568.
Association between liver histology, viral kinetics and outcome of therapy with peginterferon alfa-2a combination therapy with ribavirin in interferon naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C. Lagging M, et al. Abstract 574.
Are current fibrosis serum markers really an alternative to liver biopsy in chronic hepatitis C? Leroy V, et al. Abstract 577.
Peginterferon alfa-2a versus peginterferon alfa 2b in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Mauss S, et al. Abstract 585.
Differential TH1/TH2 cytokine profile of chronic hepatitis C patients with sustained virological response compared to non-responders and the effect of IFN plus ribavirin treatment. Par1 G, et al. Abstract 451.
Clustering of poor prognostic factors in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Swain M, et al. Abstract 607.
Induction of the TH1/TC1 type immunity in chronic hepatitis C non-responder patients with the therapeutic peptide vaccine IC41. Wedemeyer H, et al. Abstract 19.
Evidence that serum ribavirin steady-state concentrations do not correlate with early virological response during peginterferon alfa-2a + ribavirin combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C. Souvignet C, et al. Abstract 606.
Peginterferon alfa 2-b therapy in acute hepatitis C: impact of onset and duration of therapy on sustained virologic response. Kamal S, et al. Abstract 15.
Fibrosis assessment in hepatitis C by computer-performed optical analysis of CT of the liver: a novel non-invasive and useful method. Romero-Gomez M, et al. Abstract 599.
Does the clinical outcome of hepatitis C infection vary with the infecting hepatitis C virus type? Harris HE, et al. Abstract 567.
Characteristics associated with progression of fibrosis in women with hepatitis C: evidence for the role of estrogen. Codes L, et al. Abstract 556.
Enhanced antiviral efficacy for valopicitabine (NM283) plus peginterferon in hepatitis C patients with HCV genotype-1 infection: results of a phase 2a multicenter trial. Afdhal N, et al. Abstract 93.
Accurate models predicting response to pegylated interferon with ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C as early as week 4. Martinot-Peignoux M, et al. Abstract 584.
Prediction of sustained virological response at week 4 of peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin treatment in chronic hepatitis C patients with persistently normla ALT levels. Tran A, et al. Abstract 612.
Is delivery mode related to perinatal transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Mariné- Barjoan E, et al. Abstract 582.
Development and validation of a simple model to predict response to peginterferon plus ribavirin combination therapy in genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C. Martínez-Bauer EM, et al. Abstract 583.
Effect of maintenance peg-intron therapy on portal hypertension and its complications: results from the COPILOT study. Curry M, et al. Abstract 95.
Modulation of interferon specific gene expression by albuferon ™ in subjects with chronic hepatitis C and correlation with antiviral response. Moore P, et al. Abstract 447.