Hepatitis News:Gene that protect patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) against anemia brought on by antiviral treatment

Researchers identify gene variants linked to hepatitis C treatment-related anemia Published:

Tuesday, January 25, 2011 - 10:34 in Health & Medicine In two recent studies, researchers have identified two functional variants in the inosine triphosphatase (ITPA) gene that protect patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) against anemia brought on by antiviral treatment. The ability to identify those patients protected against treatment-induced anemia will ensure completion of antiviral therapy and successful elimination of the virus. Full findings of these studies appear in the February issue of Hepatology, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Chronic HCV affects up to 170 million individuals worldwide and is a leading cause of end-stage liver disease. While HCV is curable with treatment of pegylated interferon (pegIFN) and ribavirin (RBV), many patients have difficulty tolerating these antiviral drugs. Prior studies have shown that 9% to 22% of patients enrolled in phase III trials of pegIFN plus RBV require modification of their dose due to hemolytic anemia brought on by the drugs. A reduction in RBV limits treatment efficacy, thus impacting the viral clearance success rate. Alessandra Mangia, M.D., from Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Hospital in Italy, and colleagues evaluated the association between ITPA variants and anemia in a cohort of 238 Caucasian patients treated with variable pegIFN and weight-based doses of RBV. The research team found that the ITPA variants were strongly and independently associated with protection from anemia, but did not provide an increase in sustained virological response. "When anemia develops only four weeks after the start of treatment, physicians are required to immediately reduce ribavirin dosages. This early reduction will affect the overall duration of treatment which, with the combination of pegIFN and RBV, lasts 24 weeks for patients infected with HCV genotypes two and 3 (G2/3) and 48 weeks for patients with HCV genotype one (G1) infection. Currently, only the use of the drug erythropoietin (EPO)—an expensive drug that due to its high cost cannot be reimbursed in several countries—might prevent unsuccessful antiviral treatment in these cases," explained Dr. Mangia. "Our findings demonstrated that ITPA variants are strongly associated with protection from week four anemia and help us in selecting in advance who will need early ribavirin dose reduction and possibly supportive EPO treatment. This may lead to a more rational use of economical resources and to an individualized use of supportive EPO treatment," concluded Dr. Mangia. "Patients with a genetic profile that included the two ITPA variants may be safely administered higher doses of RBV, increasing the likelihood of HCV elimination after treatment—an important finding given that to achieve viral clearance high dosages of RBV need to be used in the early phases of treatment." A related study led by Fumitaka Suzuki, M.D., from Toranomon Hospital in Japan found similar results in its cohort of 61 Japanese patients with HCV. Patients in this study received a triple therapy of pegINF, RBV and the protease inhibitor, telaprevir. Dr. Suzuki and colleagues found that ITPA variants impacted blood levels; however a sustained virological response could be achieved with careful monitoring of anemia and prompt adjustment of RBV dose. The authors suggest that future investigation of the influence of ITPA gene variants on RBV-induced anemia are needed on larger scales and on patients of various ethnicities. Source: Wiley-Blackwell
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Body Weight May Not Affect Hepatitis C Treatment if Ribavirin Dose Is Adequate
SUMMARY: Body weight or body mass index (BMI) were not significant predictors of sustained response to interferon-based therapy for chronic hepatitis C as long as patients received a sufficient weight-adjusted dose of ribavirin, according to a retrospective analysis published in the December 2010 Journal of Viral Hepatitis.
Researchers also found that rapid virological response (RVR) at week 4 was a stronger predictor of treatment success than HCV genotype or viral load..Keep reading...

Survival following transplant surgery for liver cancer not impacted by HIV-positive status
25. January 2011 08:43
French researchers determined that infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) impaired results of transplant surgery for liver cancer, with more HIV infected patients dropping off the transplantation wait list. The team found that overall survival and recurrence-free survival was not impacted following liver transplantation in patients with controlled HIV disease. Details of this single center study—the largest to date—are published in the February issue of Hepatology, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD)...Keep reading...

Fibrosis Staging in Chronic Hepatitis C: Analysis of Discordance Between Transient Elastography and Liver Biopsy
What is the most effective way to detect fibrosis of the liver in chronic hepatitis C patients? .....Keep reading...
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First pediatric liver transplant by PH team of doctors
In first-of-its kind successful pediatric liver transplant, a three-year-old girl was saved from the brutal clutches of death.
The surgery, which took place in The Medical City (TMC) on January 7, took nearly twenty tiring hours to complete.
In the process, the liver of Catherine Erica Buenaventura, the patient, was removed and instead, a graft from the liver of his uncle was fitted by the team of eleven surgeons.
After spending eight days in intensive care unit post-surgery, the young Erica was later shifted to the normal room. Doctors reported that she is recovering normally and is learning to walk and eat normally.
Erica was diagnosed with swollen abdomen and enlarged liver, when she was just two-months-old. But because the operation was quite expensive at P4.5 million, her parents were unable to get her a treatment..Read more...

Alcohol-related liver disease in young people up 50% in a decade
The number of young people having to be treated in hospital for serious liver disease has risen by more than 50 per cent in the last decade, figures show.
By Stephen Adams, Medical Correspondent 1:50PM GMT 25 Jan 2011
Comment
In 2000-01, 230 people under 30 were admitted to hospital in England for alcohol-related liver disease.
But by 2009-10 this had grown to 351, according to the NHS Information Centre...Keep reading..

HIV

Up to 30% of People with HIV Develop Neutralizing Antibodies that May Slow Disease Progression
Up to 30% of People with HIV Develop Neutralizing Antibodies that May Slow Disease Progression
SUMMARY: Between 10% and 30% of people with HIV produce broadly cross-reactive antibodies against the virus during the first few years of infection, according to research published in the January 13, 2011, edition PLoS Pathogens. These early antibodies, which target a conserved region of HIV's outer envelope, are associated with lower plasma viral load, and investigators suggested their findings could aid development of an effective vaccine..Keep reading..

Oral Tenofovir Does Not Reduce Herpes Virus Shedding
SUMMARY: HIV positive people who took tenofovir (Viread, also in the Truvada and Atripla combination pills) as part of their antiretroviral regimen were no less likely to shed herpes simplex virus 1 or 2 (HSV-1 or HSV-2) than individuals using non-tenofovir regimens, according to research described in the January 14, 2011, issue of AIDS. These findings are notable because a recent microbicide study found that a tenofovir gel reduced the likelihood of HSV-2 infection...Keep reading...

People In The News

Williams: Film captures soul of local radio historyJohnston, 45, not only endured the usual difficulties a part-time filmmaker experiences in scheduling his vision around his family and professional life. He was also laid low for six months by hepatitis C, which meant the film took three years to complete.. Keep reading..

Scioto leads state in Hepatitis C cases
by Frank Lewis Portsmouth Daily Times
1 hr 42 mins ago 379 views 0 3
Nearly one-quarter of the people tested at the Portsmouth Health Department for Hepatitis C come back positive for the virus. In fact, per 100,000 population, Scioto County has the largest number of Hepatitis C cases in the state of Ohio.Read more

Peddling a close-to-home message about hepatitis C
25 Jan, 2011 04:00 AM
Darren John Ellwood is a bike rider on a mission.
Since the beginning of the year, the local resident has both walked and cycled between Wellington and Dubbo to raise awareness for hepatitis C, a crippling disease he’s personally experienced for the past 20 years...Read more..

Green warrior brings hope in hepatitis C beltShivani Mehra, TNN, Jan 24, 2011, 10.26am ISTRLUDHIANA:
The residents of Gaunspur and Walipur are living an insecure due to hepatitis C and liver cancer two diseases that are rampantly found in these villages courtesy the pollution control department, which never collected any water samples from here. So strong is the hold of these afflictions that a family lost seven of its members to these. Finally providing some ray of hope to residents, prominent environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal visited the villages of Monday along with members of the pollution control department to collect samples... Keep reading..

Grappenhall haemophiliac loses Government compensation bid
7:50am Tuesday 25th January 2011A HAEMOPHILIAC who got hepatitis C due to being infected by bad blood has condemned the Goverment after he was refused compensation...Keep reading..

Stem Cells

EHSI Subsidiary Opens Stem Cell Office in China
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Emerging Healthcare Solutions, Inc. (PinkSheets:EHSI) announced today that its biotech subsidiary Celulas Genetica has opened a stem-cell office in China.
“China’s research-friendly regulatory system makes the country the best location to develop the Rutherford Procedure into a viable therapy option”
The new business office is located in the Chaoyang District of Beijing, a region of the Chinese capital that is home to many foreign embassies and business headquarters. EHSI and Celulas Genetica have been working to open the office in China since the beginning of the year to help facilitate the testing of a revolutionary new stem cell treatment there.
Last December, Celulas Genetica purchased a license to develop and market the Rutherford Procedure, a treatment intended to utilize proton-beam technology to destroy diseased liver tissue for regeneration using adult stem cells. Celulas Genetica licensed the procedure from a Chinese firm, BBFITCL, and views the emerging Asian superpower as the ideal locale to test and develop its potential new treatment for liver disease.
“China’s research-friendly regulatory system makes the country the best location to develop the Rutherford Procedure into a viable therapy option,” said EHSI President and CEO Cindy Morrissey. “Opening this office is the first step for Celulas Genetica in its mission to test and perfect the new treatment with the use of our newly acquired NASA bioreactor.”
EHSI’s Intrifuge Rotary Cell Culture SystemTM, a rotating-wall bioreactor originally designed by NASA to facilitate the growth of human stem cells in simulated weightlessness, is key to commercializing and developing The Rutherford Procedure. Cell cultures—including stem cells—grown inside the bioreactor look and function much closer to human cells grown within the body than cell cultures grown in Petri dishes.
Earlier this month, EHSI acquired a license to use the bioreactor to expand adult stem cells in China and elsewhere outside of the U.S. Stem cell expansion is a crucial component of the Rutherford Procedure, as a multitude of high-quality adult stem cells is needed to help regenerate patients’ damaged livers into healthy, functioning organs once more.
The Celulas Genetica office in China is the newest outpost in EHSI’s expanding global footprint. In addition to Celulas’ headquarters in Panama, EHSI also maintains business offices in Germany and Poland.
EHSI invests in technology developed to compete in the stem-cell research industry alongside Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NASDAQ:TEVA), Allergan, Inc. (NYSE:AGN), Smith & Nephew (NYSE:SNN) and Forest Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:FRX).
About Emerging Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
Emerging Healthcare Solutions, Inc. invests in and participates in the profits of emerging breakthrough medical technologies. The Company believes the secret of leveraging future value for its shareholders is the proper timing of its investment in promising new medical technologies. EHSI aims to capture future profits of promising new medical technologies by investing in these technologies at the inflection point of product development. We believe this model will deliver long-term positive results for our investors.
For more information, please visit http://cts.businesswire.com/.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements that include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipate" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition, description of anyone's past success, either financial or strategic, is no guarantee of future success. This news release speaks as of the date first set forth above and the company assumes no responsibility to update the information included herein for events occurring after the date hereof.


Healthy You

CDC Issues New Sexually Transmitted Disease Guidelines
SUMMARY: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued revised guidelines for prevention, testing, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), published in the December 17, 2010 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Recommendations and Reports. The guidelines -- updated from the previous 2006 version -- feature recommendations for all major STDs, including HIV, as well as hepatitis B and C, which are more often transmitted by non-sexual routes... Keep reading..

January 24: SUNFLOWER SEEDS
by Chuck Garcia on January 24, 2011
In this latest post by Chuck Garcia, we now discuss seeds. Seeds have received a bad rap, especially by those that have diverticulosis (see this link for more details). Until recently, those with diverticulosis were told to avoid seeds at all cost. New research now shows that consuming seeds (and nuts) may actually be good for diverticulosis, reducing the number of attacts. The bottom line remain simple: eat more nuts and seeds. The fiber and vitamin content is needed for a well balanced diet. The variety is so vast that you should be able to find a seed you enjoy. Dr. Galati
Due to a large body of medical and nutritional research, seeds have achieved a well deserved notoriety only recently recognized. Like nuts, they contain oils and phytonutrients that contribute to good health. They are easy to store and make for a very convenient snack. In addition, they simply taste good and take away the hunger pangs.
Seeds come in a variety of tastes and purposes. Some edible seeds are customarily used as flavorings (dill, poppy and cumin). Still others are used for their digestive properties (caraway, anise, and fennel). However, the most popular for daily use include flax (deserved it own blog entry) sesame, pumpkin and sunflower.
Although each seed has earned its own place at the table, the sunflower seed deserves this honorable mention. Typically fed to birds, they are far too neglected by humans. They are power packed with healthy fats, fiber, minerals, and phytochemicals – all important to nutritional quality. They can be eaten raw or roasted and are great when mixed with other nuts and seeds. Most importantly, they make a great addition to salads, sandwiches, and soups.
Make yourself a commitment to adding seeds (and/or nuts) to your daily eating habit. You will find the addition adds to the texture, spices up your meal, and would make GOD proud that you eating food from the earth. As with any whole food, avoid the salted and processed packaged goods you typically find at the gas station. Try to buy them in a health food store or the health section of the supermarket.
For more on sunflower seeds, see:
Sunflower Seed Nutrition
Nutritional Value of Sunflower Seeds
Nut and Seed Chart
Keep reading...

New acetaminophen limits ease worries
Recently, the FDA asked manufacturers of prescription products like Vicodin and Percocet that combine acetaminophen with other drugs to limit the acetaminophen to no more than 325 milligrams in each pill. The limit makes staying within the medicine's maximum dose of 4,000 milligrams (4 grams) in 24 hours more manageable. Exceeding the maximum dose can lead to liver problems, including liver failure....Keep reading..

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