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446474 tn?1446347682

Accepted into Gilead GS-7977/RBV Phase II trial!!!

I am happy to report that today I got accepted into the "An Open-Label Study to Explore the Clinical Efficacy of GS 7977 With Ribavirin Administered Pre-Transplant in Preventing Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Recurrence Post-Transplant".
I will be 1 of only 40 people in the U.S., Europe and New Zealand in this trial.

I am planning on receiving a liver transplant in 5-6 months due to my HCC (liver cancer). My hepatologist will be leading the trial here at UCSF. I am a previous null-responder to treatment so the chance to try an all oral treatment is my best chance of curing my hepatitis C. This could free me from having to worry that my hepatitis will destroy my donor liver too in 5-10 years. This could increase my longevity to be on par with others post transplant that don't have hep C.

The approach of this study is to make the viral load undetectable while treating up to 24 and at some point before 24 weeks have a transplant. We will then be followed post transplant to see if the virus reoccurs.
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Purpose
The primary objective is to determine if the administration of a combination of GS 7977 and ribavirin to HCV-infected subjects with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) meeting the MILAN criteria prior to undergoing liver transplantation for up to 24 weeks can prevent post-transplant re-infection as determined by a sustained post-transplant virological response (HCV RNA <LLoQ) at 12 weeks post-transplant.

Condition:
Hepatitis C
Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Purpose/Abstract:
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects an estimated 170 million people worldwide with approximately 4 million of these infected individuals residing within the United States. Of those infected with HCV, approximately 80% develop chronic disease often marked by progressive hepatic fibrosis resulting in cirrhosis and eventually liver failure or hepatocellular carcinoma. The current licensed therapy aimed at treating HCV genotype 1 (GT-1) infection is the combination of an HCV protease inhibitor (telapravir or bocepravir) in combination with interferon-alpha and ribavirin. However, this treatment regimen is hampered by drug interactions and significant clinical toxicity in this population. The complications of chronic hepatitis C account for the most common indication for liver transplantation in the United States. Despite this, HCV infection recurs in every patient transplanted and often retreatment with the standard interferon based regimen is poorly tolerated and ineffective [1]. There is currently no effective therapy aimed at preventing infection of a transplanted liver. The urgent need for an effective therapy for HCV has spurred extensive research into the viral life cycle. Replication of the viral genome by the NS5B polymerase and cleavage of the polyprotein precursor by the NS3/NS4A protease are two life cycle events being targeted by antiviral drugs in various stages of development. The HCV NS5B polymerase has been demonstrated to be a viable target for the development of HCV therapies.
GS-7977 is a potent and specific nucleotide analog NS5B polymerase inhibitor for HCV and has been shown to inhibit HCV replication in treatment naïve individuals.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OBJECTIVES

Primary:
-To determine if the administration of a combination of GS-7977 and ribavirin to HCVinfected patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) meeting the MILAN criteria prior to undergoing liver transplantation for up to 24 weeks can prevent post-transplant re-infection as determined by a sustained post-transplant virological response (HCV RNA
Secondary:
-To determine if the administration of a combination of GS-7977 and ribavirin to HCVinfected patients with HCC meeting the MILAN criteria prior to undergoing liver transplantation can elicit a sustained viral response as determined by HCV RNA -To evaluate the safety and tolerability of a combination of GS-7977 and ribavirin in HCVinfected patients prior to undergoing liver transplantation.
-To evaluate the HCV RNA viral kinetics during the treatment phase and following liver transplant and correlate results with the duration of study treatment prior to liver transplant (LT).
-To explore the presence or absence of HCV RNA in the liver explants
and correlate with plasma HCV RNA viral kinetics during therapy,
plasma GS-7977 and metabolite exposure (GS-566500 and GS-331007,
if possible), duration of therapy, duration of plasma HCV RNA negativity.
-To explore the dynamics of non-tumor MELD score during the study.
-To determine concentrations of GS-7977 and metabolites (if suitable analytical methods can be developed) in the liver explants in a subset of patients who cease GS-7977 therapy within 24 hours of Liver Transplantation.

Overall Risk/Benefit Assessment
There is currently no standard of care therapy available for patients awaiting liver transplantation re-infection of the transplanted liver is ubiquitous. Complications of re-infection in patients receiving immunosuppressive medications are common and can be both serious and severe due to the accelerated natural history of recurrent HCV infection.
As described above, during clinical trials with GS-7977 in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin for durations of up to 12 weeks, GS-7977 was safe and well tolerated, and the adverse events profile was comparable to PEG/RBV. Across all Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies to date, no unique safety issues related to GS-7977 have been identified. Results from ELECTRON suggest that GS-7977 in combination with RBV will be well tolerated and may yield substantial SVR rates in patients with HCV and HCC.

In clinical studies to date evaluating GS-7977, no resistant virus has been identified. The possible emergence of HCV resistant to GS-7977 cannot be excluded, but given the expected very low incidence of resistance, the likely clinical impact would be small.

If moderate to high rates of SVR can be obtained with an interferon-free regimen, the only regimen available to patients with HCC awaiting transplantation and re-infection of the liver can be prevented, significant morbidity for patients would be avoided. This offers a very favorable riskbenefit determination for individuals with chronic HCV infection.

Cheers!
Hector
43 Responses
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223152 tn?1346978371
I am so excited.  Everything about this trial lines up.  The timing for the transplant, the fact that you treat right up to the TP date, the fact that you are a null responder and this is sans interferon.  It is like all the planets were lined up.  I bet you were hand picked based on recommendations by your heppo.

Any chance they would continue the hep C treatment post transplant, if the TP ends up being sooner than the 6 months?

September 11 will take on a whole new meaning.

The best, bean
Helpful - 0
1856494 tn?1340542614
This site would not be as awesome as it is because of your generous contributions.  You never cease to amaze us with your strength of spirit.  I have learned more from you than any Doc I have visited.  

Really happy for you now at this time and priviledged to be a witness to this hard earned victory in the war of this disease.   Like I have written before, I never knew my Dad, never had a brother but I imagine if I did, they would have possessed your qualities of communication and empathy.  You Rock Hector.  So glad you are part of this family.  You mean so much to me and all of us!  We sure are behind you as you are our leader - or atleast that is what I would tell any Alien that might land from Mars - I am gonna send em to you. haha   Good luck brave warrior.  You have sent out so much good to others.  This is your time now Mr. Inspiration.  
Helpful - 0
1794638 tn?1345155061
Congrats !  You are a living Miracle !   Keep the Faith !  
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1853014 tn?1340038575
I am so glad to hear the great news.  You have been such a help to everyone on here, so glad you are finally getting good news.  Prayers to you ..

Debbie
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1986676 tn?1329862471
Wishing you the very best.
I'm late too but I'm thrilled for you.

Reva
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Avatar universal
I am currently in the gs 7977 study with Ribavirin for geno type 2 or 3 relapser if anyone has any questions for me please feel free to ask them on this forum!

Andrew
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Avatar universal
Wonderful News Hector I know I am a few days late!  
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Avatar universal
What wonderful news! I love the way they're thinking :-)
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Avatar universal
that is awsome Hector!  I really hope everything works out way better then expected!  Looking forward to hearing about the happy ending to your story!
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Avatar universal
Praise God! I will keep you in my prayers. I am HCV Genotype 6 and just missed a Trial by its cutoff, (hard to find GT6 in the USA)  but am still looking as time and God allows. Keep us posted, OK?  Your success is ours also!
God Bless!
Karen
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Avatar universal
Congratulations on getting into the trial...looking forward to good things for you!

Best wishes,
Laura
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Avatar universal
Hector, I read your story last night and woke up this morning thinking what a miraculous turn of events for you.  From being closer to the end of the road than any of us wants to get, you may soon have a fully functional liver that is virus free.  You won the lottery but better.

I'll be watching with my fingers crossed all the way for you,
dointime    
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
TB?!  Goodness gracious, you have endured more than anyone should have to.  Guess it's time to be rid of all of it, and move into the next, extremely healthy phase of your life.  I'm so excited for you!
Helpful - 0
446474 tn?1446347682
☻/ღ˚ •。* ♥ ˚ ˚✰˚ ˛★* 。 ღ˛° 。* °♥ ˚ • ★ *˚ .ღ 。
/▌*˛˚ღ •˚ ˚…just sprinkling a little Love ~♥~˚ ✰* ★
/ \ ˚. ★ *˛ ˚♥* ✰。˚ ˚ღ。* ˛˚ ♥ 。✰˚* ˚ ★ღ

Thanks for all the well wishes everyone. I really appreciate it. Looks like I will be start the trial around September 11th. At least that is when I have to have my baseline done by.

I am hoping this time between now and then will give me time to eliminate my tuberculosis by the time I start treatment. That will put me at about 3 months of TB treatment, out the the 4 months I originally was suppose to do. Otherwise I will have to retreat again post transplant. We'll see.

Cheers all!
Hector
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Avatar universal
I dont come on the social side very often but I am very happy I did tonight.Congrats Hector on the wonderful news and I hope and pray that it works for you. You are probably one of the most knowledgable and caring people on here and I wish you well.
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2061362 tn?1353279518
Hector that is great news. Wishing you all the best.
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Avatar universal
Wow!! Is  this some good news or  what?? You have been such an influence on me with my tx I cant begin to thank you enough. Good things do happen to good people sometimes, and this is certainly one of those times. I will be praying for you my friend. I too was classified "null" by my treating Dr, and am now SVR. It does happen.
God bless you Hector!!
Helpful - 0
1815939 tn?1377991799
This is wonderful news, Hector. I am so very happy for you that you have been accepted and will treat soon. I am sending very positive thoughts and wishes your way.
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683664 tn?1330966324
Yay yay yay!!!!!  Jumping up and down, so excited and happy for you!  I haven't been around much but when I do check in I always look to see what's happening with you and I'm so excited to hear this news.  You are in good hands and now to have this opportunity, it is nothing short of amazing, and I am just thrilled for you.  Go Hector, I will be in your corner, cheering you on from the east coast.  When do you start?  I am beaming.

Sally
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1644356 tn?1349783211
Wonderful news! I beleive that this combo has worked for me and pray that it will for you! Best wishes as you head toward health!!!

Jill
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Avatar universal
Ah, such a wonderful piece of news from you.  I can imagine that you are *smiling* now!  Long distance hugs and prayers coming your way.  So very happy for you,
Susan
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Avatar universal
Always good to hear when on can  tx. .
Good luck.....
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1669790 tn?1333662595
Fantastic news Hector.  It would be wonderful if you could rid yourself of the virus prior to transplant.  Big smiles.  Keep us updated.  You know we're all rooting for you.  
Helpful - 0
446474 tn?1446347682
Thanks BoGal!

Hector
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