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Hep c - clinical trials

Is it true that they are within 2 years of a cure  " -" as they are not wanting to use that term for  say, but the government says that they are tired of the rising cost to which they are having to pay  as I never knew that gov. paid for the tx to begin.  Anyone else in the future what are they going to have to look at as this seems to be a growing disease.

Thanks
Pam
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517294 tn?1212078006
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
There is a cure now for HCV which occurs in 40 - 80% of people who take peg interferon and ribavirin. The new drugs, the first of which is called telapravir or VX 950 may be approved in 2010 or 2011.  When taken with Peg and Ribavirin it will increase the chances of a cure for genotype 1 patients from about 40% to 60%. It also may shorten the standard treatment for geno 1 to 24 weeks. Finally in previously treated patients it offers a  lot of hope. The government does indeed pay for a lot of HCV care through Medicare and Medicaid, however they have nothing to do with this drug other than the FDA has to approve it.
Telapravir is only the first of over 50 new compounds being studied for HCV treatment. All are being studied as additions to Peg and RBV. The future is indeed hopeful for HCV patients. However if you need treatment now, you should not wait. Being treated previously does not affect your chances of responding to the new drugs.  
Helpful - 7
Avatar universal
I am seeing a hepatologist right now as all my concerns for me as relapser that the possibility that I am looking at treatments again as liver enzymes are starting to elevate again but Nurologist says that in some part maybe from the  Dilantin for the seizures.  I am not sure that could be the reason.
So really what you are saying right now though VX-950 & Telapravir when approved will be taken for a shorter time for Geno type 1 which is were I fall, but how high does the viral load have to be in order to consider treatments.  I had a docotor tell me the second time that  11300000 was o.k. for now as this is from blood work showing that the range should be less 5, then the second number that shows under that  7.05 as the range shows less than 0.7 and he would watch it to see what happens.  This was something that I didn't & still don't understand.

So you are saying that it would be shorten by 24 weeks, but what would be the total amount of time on treatment and are you basing this on the 72wks or 48wks.  I am praying that this won't happen again but have a brother that has it as well.  I had a blood transfunsion so I know that is where I probably received mine, but him he has never had any surgeries until 2 yrs ago as I thought the screening was better now than from 1978 when I had surgery.

I would kinda like to know a direction that I could go if the viral load is higher than before.  Trials they have here and was going to check them out to see.

Thanks


Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
In reference to this Fluvastatin that you would take with interferon and Ribaviron has this been approved though by the FDA or still in the clinical trial status.  Do you know what the rate of success is with this drug combination?

I know that I have heard a lot about the vx-950 but heard that the sx are so much greater or is that not true.  I think that when I was on tx that it was not a good choice at that time.

I am just hoping and praying that likewise that the tx that I just got off will work this time but now my brother faces the problems that I did and I told him none of therapy was cheap.  I am still paying as that was the reason that I asked does the gov. really pay for any tx cause I think that I will be paying for this for the rest of my life.

I know that no one can predict what the future will hold for anyone but hopefully they will be able to find something that is a little more promising.  Do you know anyone that have tried either of those two drugs in a clinical trial?  He has Medicare and I think they would pay for a portion and the rest he would have to pay as I think in this state they won't allow you to get help with a patient assistance program...  I might have to check that out for him though.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
well there is clinical trials for something called vx-950 or vertex 950 that is used in combination therapy with the already existing interferon or ribaviron/ roche brands are pegasys and copeagus

there has also been advances made with a already approved drug called Fluvastatin in conjuction with interferon and ribaviron that studies show have a better success on lowering viral load.

Now these are not gaurenteed cures nor is the current combo therapy, but just better success in increasing the odds of eliminating the virus.

to answer the question about the government paying for the treatment.  they do in some cases i know b/c i am a recepient of receiving government treatment.  roche has what is called the patient assistance program for those in need.

as for what the future holds we can only pray but i think the advances they are making are good with the current studies of vertex 950 i have heard good things still no solid sure shot cure but anything helps
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
A related discussion, High Viral Loads was started.
Helpful - 0
621770 tn?1243220914
your side effects should get better after 6-8 weeks of treatment... you will still get them but not feel like a truck hit you...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
how sick am i expected to get from taking ribaviron andtelpevir and pegasus interferon?i feel pretty sick right now already and its only week one.does it get any better or will i be this sick all year?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sorry i was on the wrong page..meant to ask a question
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have hep c, fibrmyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. The daily pain is unbearable. I understand that pain meds are hard on the liver but when does the relief matter more than the negagative effects? I miss my life there is no quality. Any suggestions? I would rather live better for a shorter time than live like this for a longer time.
Helpful - 0

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