Hope everyone had a great Halloween, our family sure did! Did the kids count all that candy yet? No? Did you sneak a few favorites? Yes? Consider reading this over at Al D. Rodriguez Liver Foundation; Halloween Goodies: Threat or Treat?
Excerpt;
Candies and other sweet goodies are now commonly made with artificial sweeteners, which are more of a threat than a treat to our bodies’ health.
How do sugar substitutes — particularly the alternative processed fructose — damage the liver?
First, one of the problems with artificial sweeteners is that they are marketed as either healthier or safer alternatives because — as some “experts” say — “they pass through your body undigested.” In response to this train of thought, people are consuming fructose in greater, massive quantities. Yet the may be unaware that fructose, when excessively consumed, turns into a chronic, dose-dependent liver toxin.
After putting back some of that candy you swiped, check out this months index of newsletters, related articles and interesting blog updates. Enjoy!
In The News
Gilead's Q3 Bombshell: No More Hepatitis C R&D
Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD) is a Goliath in hepatitis C treatment; however, the company is shifting its research spending in the future away from hepatitis C to other indications, and that decision could have big implications on the hepatitis C market in the long term. Let's take a closer look at the hepatitis C market and Gilead Sciences' decision to press the pause button on hepatitis C R&D.
Distress and depression with type 2 diabetes tied to skipping meds
(Reuters Health) - People with type 2 diabetes who also have symptoms of distress or depression are more likely than others to miss or skip their diabetes medications, according to a recent study.
High-protein diets reduce liver fat
According to a new nutritional study conducted by the German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE) on individuals with type 2 diabetes, high-protein diets reduced liver fat by up to 48 percent within six weeks. It did not matter whether the diet was mainly based on plant or animal protein.
Acute hepatitis after heavy energy drink use 'a warning to the consumer,' liver specialist says
A construction worker who consumed an excessive amount of energy drinks developed a rare case of acute hepatitis, say doctors who want patients to know about the potential risks to the liver from such over-consumption.
Herbal and dietary supplements are known to be potentially toxic to the liver, but the association is commonly overlooked, Dr. Jennifer Nicole Harb of the University of Florida College of Medicine and her co-authors said in Tuesday's online issue of BMJ Case Reports.
Read the article, here...
Gilead sales of Hepatitis C drugs slump
Gilead Sciences Inc. on Tuesday said sales of hepatitis C drugs Harvoni and Sovaldi missed expectations and slumped in the third-quarter, as the biopharmaceutical company faces challenges from rival drugs and pricing pressures.
Newsletters
HCV Advocate
The HCV Advocate newsletter is a valuable resource designed to provide the hepatitis C community with monthly updates on events, clinical research, and education.
November Newsletter
HCV Advocate's November newsletter is out with a must read article about discussing treatment with your doctor. The article hit on all the important questions and answers, for example; What can you do if your doctor won’t prescribe hepatitis C treatment, or wants to prescribe an older regimen, when clearly there are newer ones available? Another wonderful HealthWise article written by Lucinda K. Porter, RN.
HCV Advocate is patient friendly, so easy to read, especially when breaking down clinical information. Alan Franciscus writes about two clinical trials; the first one is about positive health outcomes of curing people infected with chronic hepatitis C - followed by a study of low rates of relapse after being cured of chronic hepatitis C. In addition the newsletter has a drug pipeline update as well. Finally a new Easy C fact sheet on the importance of testing for hepatitis B before initiating HCV direct-acting antiviral therapy.
Read the November newsletter, here.... and all newsletters, here...
HCV Advocate Website, here... HCV Advocate Clinical Trials Reference Guide, here.... and HCV Medications Blog, here...
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GI & Hepatology News
Over 17,000 gastroenterologists and hepatologists rely on GI & Hepatology News every month to cover the world of medicine with breaking news, on-site medical meeting coverage, and expert perspectives both in print and online. The official newspaper of the AGA Institute was launched in partnership with IMNG in January 2007.
November issue of GI & Hepatology News
Simple Interventions Markedly Improve Hepatitis Care
Fulminant HBV Reactivation Associated with HCV Drugs
NAFLD Estimated to Cost $103 Billion/Year
Download, here....
Past Issues
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The Hepatitis C Coalition
The Hepatitis C Coalition is a group of leading clinicians, patient organisations, professional groups, industry and other interested parties committed to the reduction of morbidity and mortality associated with hepatitis C and its eventual elimination. The Hepatitis C Coalition has funding from AbbVie, Gilead Sciences and Merck Sharp & Dohme.Over 17,000 gastroenterologists and hepatologists rely on GI & Hepatology News every month to cover the world of medicine with breaking news, on-site medical meeting coverage, and expert perspectives both in print and online. The official newspaper of the AGA Institute was launched in partnership with IMNG in January 2007.
November issue of GI & Hepatology News
Simple Interventions Markedly Improve Hepatitis Care
Fulminant HBV Reactivation Associated with HCV Drugs
NAFLD Estimated to Cost $103 Billion/Year
Download, here....
Past Issues
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The Hepatitis C Coalition
Welcome to the October 2016 edition of the Hepatitis C Coalition's quarterly newsletter. This quarterly newsletter provides a concise summary of developments in hepatitis C for policymakers, clinicians, commissioners, local government, charities and others with an interest in hepatitis C or public health. News: including the relaunch of a national partnership group to produce a locally-led framework, the publication of Public Health England's annual report on hepatitis C in the UK, the Hepatitis C Trust judicial review and NHS England’s increased treatment rate of 12,500 for 2017/18 and the update to the Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) scheme.
Begin, here.....
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The New York City Hepatitis C Task Force
The New York City Hepatitis C Task Force is a city-wide network of service providers and advocates concerned with hepatitis C and related issues. The groups come together to learn, share information and resources, network, and identify hepatitis C related needs in the community. Committees form to work on projects in order to meet needs identified by the community.
Hep Free NYC Newsletter
New Data on Hep B and Hep C in NYC, Hep C Ad Campaign in Brooklyn, BOOM!Health Feature and learn more about viral hepatitis and liver cancer.
Treatment Action Group
Treatment Action Group (TAG) is a US-based HIV/AIDS activist organization formed in 1991 involved with worldwide efforts to increase research on treatments for HIV and for deadly co-infections that affect people with HIV, such as hepatitis C and tuberculosis.
TAGline Fall Issue
Treatment Action Group (TAG) published their TAGline fall issue with 8 must read articles including; Rallying the Multitude to Free the (generic) HCV Cure, ending the war on drugs, and access to safe and effective drugs. In case you missed it check out their fact sheet on the newly approved drug Epclusa, both in English and Spanish published in September.
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HCV Action
HCV Action brings together hepatitis C health professionals from across the patient pathway with the pharmaceutical industry and patient representatives to share expertise and good practice.
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NVHR Newsletter
The National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable is a broad coalition working to fight, and ultimately end, the hepatitis B and hepatitis C epidemics. We seek an aggressive response from policymakers, public health officials, medical and health care providers, the media, and the general public through our advocacy, education, and technical assistance.
Read about NVHR's new Policy Director, upcoming AASLD meeting, and more!
Begin, here....
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The American Liver Foundation
Liver Lowdown is the monthly general interest e-newsletter of the American Liver Foundation.
Liver Lowdown is the monthly general interest e-newsletter of the American Liver Foundation.
In case you missed it ALF recently published their special; Liver Awareness Month 2016 Issue.
October is big for the liver community. It's Liver Awareness Month- and it's also Liver Cancer Awareness Month, so we've teamed with Bayer to help raise awareness about the risk factors for this deadly disease. Learn more about liver cancer here.
American Liver Foundation, Great Lakes Division
November 2016 Newsletter
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Blog Updates
Hepatitis B Foundation
The Hepatitis B Foundation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure and improving the quality of life for those affected by hepatitis B worldwide. Our commitment includes funding focused research, promoting disease awareness, supporting immunization and treatment initiatives, and serving as the primary source of information for patients and their families, the medical and scientific community, and the general public.
Hepatitis B Foundation Expert Timothy Block Predicts Cure in the Next Three to Five Years
Today, the cofounder and president of the Hepatitis B Foundation, the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute and the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, is optimistic and predicts a cure will be developed in the three to five years.
View additional articles;
November 2016
October 2016
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HEP
October is big for the liver community. It's Liver Awareness Month- and it's also Liver Cancer Awareness Month, so we've teamed with Bayer to help raise awareness about the risk factors for this deadly disease. Learn more about liver cancer here.
American Liver Foundation, Great Lakes Division
November 2016 Newsletter
Published on Nov 1, 2016
Brought to You by the American Liver Foundation, Great Lakes Division
Blog Updates
Hepatitis B Foundation
The Hepatitis B Foundation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure and improving the quality of life for those affected by hepatitis B worldwide. Our commitment includes funding focused research, promoting disease awareness, supporting immunization and treatment initiatives, and serving as the primary source of information for patients and their families, the medical and scientific community, and the general public.
Hepatitis B Foundation Expert Timothy Block Predicts Cure in the Next Three to Five Years
Today, the cofounder and president of the Hepatitis B Foundation, the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute and the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, is optimistic and predicts a cure will be developed in the three to five years.
View additional articles;
November 2016
October 2016
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HEP
Hep is an award-winning print and online brand for people living with and affected by viral hepatitis. Offering unparalleled editorial excellence since 2010, Hep and Hep Magazine are the go-to source for educational and social support for people living with hepatitis.
Worldwide, approximately 13 percent of patients with chronic hepatitis C infection have genotype 4.
Worldwide, approximately 13 percent of patients with chronic hepatitis C infection have genotype 4.
By Lucinda K. Porter, RN
Treatment for Hepatitis C Genotype 4: No Longer Scary
Dr. Kristine Novak is the science editor for Gastroenterology and Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. She has worked as an editor at biomedical research journals and as a science writer for 15 years, covering advances in gastroenterology, hepatology, cancer, immunology, biotechnology, molecular genetics, and clinical trials. She has a PhD in cell biology and an interest in all areas of medical research.
Updates
Can Direct-acting Antivirals Treatment of HCV Reactivate Herpesvirus Infection?
Researchers report reactivation of herpesvirus in 10 patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection treated with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents in the November issue of Clincial Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Christie Perelló et al performed a case series analysis of reactivation of herpesvirus in patients with HCV infection treated with DAA
Read more
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New Online
Recent Articles
Read other recent HepatitisC.net headlines
Connect with others, join the forum
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Recommended Reading
Liver Cancer
Researchers report reactivation of herpesvirus in 10 patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection treated with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents in the November issue of Clincial Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Christie Perelló et al performed a case series analysis of reactivation of herpesvirus in patients with HCV infection treated with DAA
Read more
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New Online
Recent Articles
By Jenelle Marie Davis - November 1, 2016
People Born Male and Living as Male The main form of transmission for hepatitis C is IV drug use. Males are statistically more likely to begin to self-medicate and to use higher...
Moment In Time
People Born Male and Living as Male The main form of transmission for hepatitis C is IV drug use. Males are statistically more likely to begin to self-medicate and to use higher...
Moment In Time
By Daryl Luster - October 31, 2016
We are familiar with the phrase “one day at a time”. The meaning for me is to not worry about tomorrow so much and focus on getting through this day, whatever challenge...
Hepatitis C and Youth
We are familiar with the phrase “one day at a time”. The meaning for me is to not worry about tomorrow so much and focus on getting through this day, whatever challenge...
Hepatitis C and Youth
By Daryl Luster - October 29, 2016
There are different age groups who have hep c. Youth is one group that in not spoken about as much as baby boomers or others who may have been exposed decades ago....
There are different age groups who have hep c. Youth is one group that in not spoken about as much as baby boomers or others who may have been exposed decades ago....
Connect with others, join the forum
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Recommended Reading
Liver Cancer
Risk of hepatitis B reactivation
Welcome to Weekend Reading, today we offer a short review of recent warnings issued for hepatitis C direct-acting antivirals.
Available evidence suggests that HCV treatment with the new direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) should not be limited to patients with advanced liver disease.
Evidence from 38 studies, involving 73,861 patients, showed a significant mortality benefit of achieving SVR in patients with all stages of fibrosis. Long-term studies with follow-ups of five to 12 years suggested that, particularly among non-cirrhotic patients, there was a significant decrease in mortality in SVR versus non-SVR groups.
Treatment for HCV across all genotypes
DAAs for HCV infection have all but replaced IFN as the foundation of treatment for HCV across all genotypes. Among the major advantages of these oral regimens, beyond their remarkable efficacy, has been their relatively clean safety profile.
Testing prior to treatment, during, and after HCV therapy
Review: Clinical Laboratory Testing in the Era of Directly Acting Antiviral Therapies for Hepatitis C
Directly acting antiviral (DAA) combination therapies for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are highly effective, but treatment decisions remain complex. Laboratory testing is important to evaluate a range of viral, host, and pharmacological factors when considering HCV treatment, and patients must be monitored during and after therapy for safety and to assess the viral response. In this review, we discuss the laboratory tests relevant for the treatment of HCV infection in the era of DAA therapy, grouped according to viral and host factors.
Side effects and medical contraindications
The arrival of interferon-free direct acting antiviral (DAA) regimens for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have been transformative. Treatment approaches which were once marred by frequent and potentially severe side effects, lack of patient and provider acceptance and marginal efficacy have been replaced by DAA regimens which can cure the vast majority of patients in 12 weeks with minimal to no side effects. Despite these tremendous advances in HCV therapy providers must recognize, as with any medication, that severe side effects and medical contraindications still exist for certain populations when using current DAA therapies.
Buyers’ Clubs: Generic versions of HCV drugs resulted in very high cure rates
Keith Alcorn
Use of generic versions of direct-acting antivirals resulted in very high cure rates for people who obtained the products through three buyers’ clubs, indicating that the generics products are effective, according to three presentations at the International Congress on Drug Therapy in HIV Infection in Glasgow this week.
The prevalence of recurrent viremia was low among patients with hepatitis C who achieved sustained virologic response, data from a recently published study demonstrate.
Gilead to submit regulatory applications for SOF/VEL/VOX in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2016 and shortly thereafter in Europe.
Gilead Announces SVR12 Rates From Four Phase 3 Studies of a Once-Daily, Fixed-Dose Combination of Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir and Voxilaprevir in Treatment-Naïve and Treatment-Experienced Genotype 1-6 Chronic HCV-Infected Patients
Full Text Article
Full Text Article
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Off The Cuff
November/December ACP Internist
Washington Perspective
Washington Perspective
Health policy after the election
By Robert B. Doherty
The 2016 elections on Nov. 8 will have huge consequences for health policy.
If President Clinton is elected, she would largely pursue a continuity agenda: continuing to expand coverage options under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including offering a “public option” to compete with private plans on the marketplaces, and offering people ages 55 to 65 the option to buy into Medicare coverage. She also will propose changes to stabilize the health insurance marketplaces in each state for small group and individual insurance to address the challenges of rising premiums and insurers pulling out of some of the markets, such as increasing the premium and cost-sharing subsidies and reinvigorating an expired re-insurance program to help insurers who enroll a less healthy mix of patients. However, the proportion of her agenda that could be enacted will depend on whether Democrats take control of the Senate from the GOP, whether the House remains under Republican control, and by what margins in both cases.
If President Trump is elected, his agenda is less clear, although he has pledged to work with Congress to repeal the ACA. He could replace it by allowing the selling of insurance across state lines, making health insurance premiums in the individual market fully tax-deductible, eliminating requirements that people buy insurance, and striking mandates on the benefits that plans must offer. However, how far he could go in repealing the ACA depends on which party controls the Senate and the House. Even if the GOP were to control both chambers, it would have to gain a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. As a practical matter, it would be politically challenging to enact legislation that would take coverage away from the 20 million people currently covered under the ACA.
Read more...
Disclaimer in very small print; I did eat four peanut butter cups, and a bag of chips.
Until next time...
Tina
By Robert B. Doherty
The 2016 elections on Nov. 8 will have huge consequences for health policy.
If President Clinton is elected, she would largely pursue a continuity agenda: continuing to expand coverage options under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including offering a “public option” to compete with private plans on the marketplaces, and offering people ages 55 to 65 the option to buy into Medicare coverage. She also will propose changes to stabilize the health insurance marketplaces in each state for small group and individual insurance to address the challenges of rising premiums and insurers pulling out of some of the markets, such as increasing the premium and cost-sharing subsidies and reinvigorating an expired re-insurance program to help insurers who enroll a less healthy mix of patients. However, the proportion of her agenda that could be enacted will depend on whether Democrats take control of the Senate from the GOP, whether the House remains under Republican control, and by what margins in both cases.
If President Trump is elected, his agenda is less clear, although he has pledged to work with Congress to repeal the ACA. He could replace it by allowing the selling of insurance across state lines, making health insurance premiums in the individual market fully tax-deductible, eliminating requirements that people buy insurance, and striking mandates on the benefits that plans must offer. However, how far he could go in repealing the ACA depends on which party controls the Senate and the House. Even if the GOP were to control both chambers, it would have to gain a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. As a practical matter, it would be politically challenging to enact legislation that would take coverage away from the 20 million people currently covered under the ACA.
Read more...
Disclaimer in very small print; I did eat four peanut butter cups, and a bag of chips.
Until next time...
Tina
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