Request for Hep C treatment guide

[ZRC]

Hello Sir,
I am 49 year male living in Pakistan, found HCV +ve in 2001 with geno type 3a. Have three gall stones since 1995 when I knew this but no pain at all. Liver biopsy done from USA in 2001, result was 4rth grade liver. Got Interferon therapy with riba and virus was undetected after 12 weeks, but ALAT, ASAT did not become normal. Complete the therapy for 24 weeks and virus remained undetected till one year after therapy. About 18 months after completing the treatment virus was again present.
I took homeopathic medicine from Pakistan through a qualified doctor in last 10 years. Some time ALAT, ASAT comes normal but mostly remained at
100-150.
My weight is 82 Kg with a height of 5,5 ft. I eat well and work 10-12 hours daily. But have some sleeping problem with some times very tired legs and ocassional fever especially at the evening after a day full of work.
Last month I did complete testing in US, Ultrasound says a mild fatty liver. Splene is of normal size, heptic portal vanes are normal.
ALAT - 140, ASAT - 120, Albumin - 3.5, hemoglobin - 16, Platlets - 74000
RBC - normal. WBC - 3.5, Blood clotting factor  - 4.0, Viral Load - 1.6
Could you please guide me Should I wait for Sofosbuvir or I should start Interferon therapy immediately.
CAN I GET INVOLVED IN TRIAL OF SOFOSBUVIR ANY WHERE IN THE WORLD.

PLEASE HELP ME BY GUIDING WHAT SHOULD I DO.

MANY THANKS

[ActingBrandNew]

"Complete the therapy for 24 weeks and virus remained undetected till one year after therapy. About 18 months after completing the treatment virus was again present. "

Im curious as to if you were reinfected as Pooh mentioned above. When were you tested after treatment? Was the 18 month post test the first test you had or had you been tested 6 months post treatment and been declared SVR? I ask this because if you achieved an SVR but were reinfected I would say to consider treating again since the first time was successful. If in fact you relapsed then I would say you may want to consider waiting for other medications.

The reason behind this is because you are from Pakistan where genotype 3 is prevalent. I know this because I am a genotype 3 as well and have read many studies and articles about a G3 and Pakistan. Genotype 3 is like Genotype 1 over here in the U.S. Having said that, because it is so prevalent, there have been resistance issues with a G3's in Pakistan that we dont see so  over here.

Since you have been diagnosed with Fatty Liver, because you are a G3 your viral load will have a direct effect on this condition.

Here are a list of clinical trials in India which I believe borders your country. What I recommend is for you to contact the recruiters and ask them if the are aware of any clinical trials in Pakistan.

___________________________________________________________

http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/advancesearchmain.php



http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?trialid=409&EncHid=&userName=HCV

http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?trialid=2369&EncHid=&userName=HCV

http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?trialid=2368&EncHid=&userName=HCV

http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?trialid=2549&EncHid=&userName=HCV

http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?trialid=2623&EncHid=&userName=HCV

http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?trialid=3845&EncHid=&userName=HCV

http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?trialid=5660&EncHid=&userName=HCV

[pooh55811]

You said you had a biopsy in 2001 in the US and the result was "4th grade liver." Do you mean Stage 4? Usually the liver biopsy will show a Grade and a Stage.  Something like: Grade 1  Stage 1  OR  Grade 2  Stage 3. So I don't know what you mean by 4th grade liver (if you mean the Grade (inflammation) or the Stage (stage of fibrosis).

Have you had a recent liver biopsy? It would help to know what stage of fibrosis you have at the present time, in 2013.

Also, If you remained clear of the virus for a year after the end of treatment, do the doctors think you had a reinfection (a new infection) or do they think you relapsed? Usually if a person stays undetected for a year after treatment, they have been cured and if the virus reappears it is because of a new infection.

I do know that the drug company has filed for FDA approval to use Sofosbuvir for Genotype 3. The approval will take a few months.

http://www.gilead.com/news/press-releases/2013/4/data-from-phase-3-studies-of-gileads-sofosbuvir-for-hepatitis-c

As far as getting into a trial, I would suggest starting another thread using the subject title of "How to get into  a Sofosbuvir trial" and ask if anyone knows who to contact to find out that information.

Or, you could try calling this number:

1-(800) GILEAD-5  ( 800-445-3235 ) between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.


If you can let us know more about your liver biopsy results (2001) and also if you had a recent biopsy and the results, it would be very helpful.