hep c and latest clinical research

[kimberly0504]

My friend was diagnosed about 15 yrs ago with hep c from a blood transfusion he received at a military facilty as he was serving his 24 years in Special Forces.  He is Type 1 A and both times received interferon 2A and ribovarin; and neither time responded positively to it.  
His MELD is a 9; and I have noticed the red dots on his skin; as well as him having an enlarged spleen; feverish flu like symptoms immediately if he is around people with colds.  His plalets are down to 85; a drop from 124 back in Oct 2009.

My question is - are there any clinical trials or new medications that are coming out over the next 2 years to help his symptoms.  He no longer drinks and eats a healthy diet.  His doc wants to try the txt again - is this advisable or can you recommend a clinical trial phase 3 or 4 that may benefit him knowing his genotype.  

[kimberly0504]

Thank you for your information and getting back to me so quickly.  As I reviewed your profile, you indicate that you are interested in herbal treatments and nutrition management for liver disease.  I am interested in knowing your recommendations as my friend takes quite a bit of vitamins and some supplements for liver cleansing and support.  His diet is lite, minimal meat and has lost about 17 lbs since the beginning of the year.  

Also, I want to confirm that you do recommend consideration of txt again for treating HCV.

Have you heard about the new drug that Bristol Myers-Squibb is working on - not a protease inhibitor but focused on a protein blocking the virus from spreading? News came out on the 17th of April

Thank you again,

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

there are many small molecules that are in the pipeline for HCV that will be coming to clinical trial.  Most are protease inhibitors--we are hoing that 1 or 2 of them may be FDA-approved by this time next year.  There are no panceas--all new meds will be used with interferon-based therapy.  consensus interferon is another possibility.  as you have cirrhosis do not forget to have regular screening for HCC.  i think its reasonable to consider re-Rx.