Check out this study all of you potential Alinia users.

[St. George]

I states  that geno 4 is indeed easier to treat than 1a, which isn't great news for us 1A's, but who knows.  I will stay on t until the end.

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2008/010808_b.html

[orleans]

This study is a real bummer. The French study had G4s averaging at about 54% SVR. The control in the Egyptian trails was running at only 43% SVR. (This was questioned at th conference) We can only hope that those were closer to the mark or that Alinia works in such a way as Geno type is less important. Being that the sx profile is so good, it is cost that is the major issue. Who has $$ to just throw away. jm

[merryBe]

I'm not sure that the genotype is relevant without there having been research yet to discern different rates for different types.

Obviously we know the other genotypes are easier, but I think people are pressing into the idea of Alinia whether it makes a 3% or a 10% difference mainly because SVR is lowest on genotype 1 and anything that might improve those odds even slightly seems reasonable at this point. Especially in light of the fact that the same SOC, INF/Riba does create destruction rates in all HCV genotypes, albeit less in type 1....I think the presumption becomes some improvement via Alinia may be a reasonable assumption even if the degree of improvement varies from the type 4 responses
.
Absent a much fuller study which is at least a year or more away, it may be wisdom to at least ry and improve ones odds, assuming there are no contraindications.
Certainly there have been other drugs in the past that have proven useful for things they were not originally intend for....such as blood pressure medicines that grow hair and cure colon cancer....it would be great to see more research into what some of the older substances may also have to offer in the way of cures.  

Admittedly the push of most research is into new drugs, but let's also applaude anyone discovering anything that helps, even if it only adds a 5 % SVR....that would still be 5 more people in every hundred walking around cured!!!

maryB

[CockSparrow]

My understanding is that G4s have an SVR rate of about 65% or more, so they have always been easier to Tx than G1s.
The reason for G4s being considered difficult to Tx is that they have cr@p SVR rates with 24 weeks.
Not that 65% is that good.
CS

[ladywhy]

"Studies have produced conflicting data about whether this genotype is "hard to treat," like genotype 1, or easier to treat, like genotypes 2 and 3."

That's all I read...(Couldn't wait 'til tomorrow)... am I missing something?

[ladywhy]

I didn't want to hear that...so I'll wait 'til tomorrow to have a look. Still, it's promising....
All we have is hope
y

Wishing you all the very best