Interferon Combination treatments for return active virus

Posted By Terri on December 15, 1998 at 10:53:03:







After reading Tim's inquiry of Oct. 24 and the response, I had a few questions about my mother's situation.  She contracted the virus about 25 years ago through blood transfusions.  The virus was discovered about 7 years ago.  She had significant cirrhosis already to her liver and was initially told whe might live 2 to 3 years to live with no treatment. She went on interferon treatments for a couple of years with the results being that it "significantly slowed the progression of the virus."  About a year ago, she began an experimental program taking a combination of interferon and "something else" (I don't know what), but since it was experimental, she's not sure if she received the placebo or the real drug.  (She definitely got the interferon.)  The virus went into remission after 12 weeks of treatment, but she continued in the study for the 12-month period.
She went off the treatment about 6 weeks ago. She had her bloodwork done at 4 weeks, and got the news yesterday that the active virus is back.  She is going to discuss her options with her doctor next Tuesday and to find out if she was on the real treatment program or just the interferon.
My questions are:
Since she responded to the interferon the first time, and evidently the second time (combination treatment or not) what is the likelihood that she going another round of some kind of treatment will help?
Is there any chance the virus will go back in remission?
Do you feel she will have to stay on some kind of treatment constantly to have any kind of slowed progress?
What kind of results are possible from the ribo...(?) combination?
What new research is being done?
Do you know anything about Bio-Pro Thymic Protein A, a "natural treatment extract of Bovine Thymus"?
I know you may not be able to answer all these, but I would like to be able to offer her some information in addition to that she receives from her physician.  Any help you can give me is appreciated.