December Hepatitis Newsletters: Spotlight On Daryl Luster, With Highlights From AASLD 2015
Your favorite bloggers have written some wonderful articles as well, plus a new interview with Daryl Luster, our very own advocate, author and President of the Board of Directors at Pacific Hepatitis C Network.
Daryl was featured in an interview recently on; The American Journal Of Medicine Hepatitis C Resource Center Blog, which tackled some of the following powerful topics; HCV treatment restrictions, stigma, discrimination, drug cost, harm reduction and access to care, to name a few.
If that seems too clinical, scroll through this months newsletters for additional AASLD highlights, written by devoted HCV advocates, with you, the patient in mind.
December 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.
Read The HCV Advocate Daily
Newsletter
Snapshots – I cover some of the most exciting late-breaking posters about HCV treatment including treating genotype 3, cirrhosis and post-transplant HCV and those pesky RAVs with multiple drug combinations in clinical development.
HealthWise – Lucinda covers advocacy issues including the protests at AASLD and she discusses her favorite posters and presentations.
What’s New!
We have overhauled our medical glossary and herbal glossary to make it easier to navigate. Check them out!
We have begun a new feature highlighting some of the best websites for our readers. In this edition we are recommending OASISclinic.org that has tons of information, brochures and informational videos that you can download free of charge.
Lastly, we would like to take this time to ask you to think about donating to our organization—the Hepatitis C Support Project, a Project of the Tides Center. Any contribution you can afford will help us to provide the much-needed education and support that we provide to the hepatitis C community. Click here to learn more.
In Case You Missed It
November Mid-Month Newsletter
Feds to Medicaid: Stop HCV Treatment Restrictions
by Alan Franciscus
This is good news for patients who have been denied HCV treatment by Medicaid. It will also mean that the government will investigate HCV pricing policies and insurance denial practices.
by Alan Franciscus
The combination of sofosbuvir plus velapasvir (with and without ribavirin) to treat genotypes 1 through 6 has completed Phase 3 clinical studies, and Gilead has submitted the data to the Food and Drug Administration for marketing approval. Read about the results.
The combination of sofosbuvir plus velapasvir (with and without ribavirin) to treat genotypes 1 through 6 has completed Phase 3 clinical studies, and Gilead has submitted the data to the Food and Drug Administration for marketing approval. Read about the results.
Social Security and Medicare Changes for 2016
by Jacques Chambers
It is that time of year that some people need to start making changes to their Social Security or Medicare. Read this informative article by Jacques to find out the latest information and changes to these two important programs.
HCV Drugs
by Alan Franciscus
There was a lot of news in the world of HCV drugs — such as a teaser to a study that will be released at AASLD — curing people with 3 weeks of treatment, a safety warning about Viekira Pak and Technivie, and going bananas to treat HIV, HCV and the flu.
HCV SnapShots
by Alan Franciscus
This month’s column features two abstracts including HCV and the risk of preterm birth, and how statins reduce the progression to cirrhosis.
The Five: Pan-Genotypic Drugs
by Alan Franciscus
This month’s The Five discusses the various aspects of pan-genotypic drugs and why they are the future of HCV treatment.
View past newsletters here....
Connect With HCV Advocate
Hepatitis B and C Public Policy Association
The Hepatitis Public Policy Association aims to urge and facilitate the formulation of public policies at national and international level for the communication, prevention and management of the spread of viral Hepatitis B and C. The Association’s unique approach in furtherance of this aim is to gather together, and work in partnership with, the major stakeholders in the field of these diseases including regulators, patients, clinicians, public health and civil society communities and the private sector.
December 2015 – Newsletter
In This Issue
What’s new at AASLD 2015
Several novelties concerning the advances in the field of hepatitis C were reported at the AASLD 2015 meeting. I will focus my report on the real-world data on treatment with direct acting antivirals (DAA), those obtained in some selected populations (genotype 3, acute hepatitis C, persons who inject drugs [PWID], decompensated cirrhosis), the problem of NS5A-associated resistance associated variants (RAVs), and some of the results of soon-to-be-approved medications.
A report from The 2015 Liver Meeting: The AASLD Global Forum
In This Newsletter
Upcoming Events
Advocacy
New Tools
News
Training & Technical Assistance
Journal Articles & Reports
Job Board
Funding Board
Join our network!
View all newsletters, here.
Join Us
HepCBC Hepatitis C Education and Prevention Society
HepCBC’s MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
The hepc.bull, has been “Canada’s hepatitis C journal” since the late 1990′s and has been published nonstop since 2001. The monthly newsletter contains the latest research results, government policy changes, activities and campaigns you can get involved in, articles by patients and caregivers, and a list of support groups plus other useful links.
December Newsletter
hepc.bull -- 12 2015
What’s new at AASLD 2015
Several novelties concerning the advances in the field of hepatitis C were reported at the AASLD 2015 meeting. I will focus my report on the real-world data on treatment with direct acting antivirals (DAA), those obtained in some selected populations (genotype 3, acute hepatitis C, persons who inject drugs [PWID], decompensated cirrhosis), the problem of NS5A-associated resistance associated variants (RAVs), and some of the results of soon-to-be-approved medications.
A report from The 2015 Liver Meeting: The AASLD Global Forum
The 2015 Liver Meeting in San Francisco offered an occasion for experts from around the world to meet and discuss the latest findings in hepatology. The Global Forum was an event dedicated to the advances in treatment of chronic hepatitis C and the challenges that remain to fight the battle against HCV worldwide.
Next-generation sequencing as an emerging weapon of molecular epidemiology to track patients at risk of hepatocellular carcinoma
Next-generation sequencing as an emerging weapon of molecular epidemiology to track patients at risk of hepatocellular carcinoma
Q. Professor Zucman-Rossi, is our understanding of the risk factors of hepatocellular carcinoma exhaustive?
The vast majority of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) occur on a cirrhotic background developed after a chronic liver disease usually related to infections by hepatitis B or C viruses, high alcohol consumption, metabolic genetic diseases or obesity. Apart from these major risk factors, the contribution of others such as tobacco remains to be ascertained. Whereas HCC risk increases with the severity and duration of cirrhosis development, an increased number of HCC are discovered in non-cirrhotic patients. Particularly in these cases, we can hypothesize that exposure to additional risk factors and/or genetic predisposition could contribute significantly to the development of HCC.
Metabolic steatohepatitis and liver cancer
The vast majority of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) occur on a cirrhotic background developed after a chronic liver disease usually related to infections by hepatitis B or C viruses, high alcohol consumption, metabolic genetic diseases or obesity. Apart from these major risk factors, the contribution of others such as tobacco remains to be ascertained. Whereas HCC risk increases with the severity and duration of cirrhosis development, an increased number of HCC are discovered in non-cirrhotic patients. Particularly in these cases, we can hypothesize that exposure to additional risk factors and/or genetic predisposition could contribute significantly to the development of HCC.
Metabolic steatohepatitis and liver cancer
Q. Professor Dufour, when was the link between liver cancer and metabolic syndrome established?
In the last decades, research in the field of hepatocellular carcinoma has been focused on the link with hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus and, on the therapeutic front, on the development of systemic target therapy which lead to the approval of sorafenib in 2007. The landscape is changing with the realization that effective treatment of chronic viral hepatitis will reduce the number of patients at risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma.
An update on treatment for hepatocellular cancer (HCC)
In the last decades, research in the field of hepatocellular carcinoma has been focused on the link with hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus and, on the therapeutic front, on the development of systemic target therapy which lead to the approval of sorafenib in 2007. The landscape is changing with the realization that effective treatment of chronic viral hepatitis will reduce the number of patients at risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma.
An update on treatment for hepatocellular cancer (HCC)
Q. Professor Galle, is liver cancer a hard to treat disease?
Hepatocellular cancer (HCC) is a disease with dismal prognosis and worldwide the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality, behind lung and stomach cancers. In the majority of patients, HCC is a deadly complication of liver cirrhosis resulting from underlying liver disease such as viral hepatitis. The remaining hepatic reserve of the cirrhotic patient contributes significantly to the availability of therapeutic options and often dictates outcome.
Extra-hepatic manifestations of hepatitis C
Hepatocellular cancer (HCC) is a disease with dismal prognosis and worldwide the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality, behind lung and stomach cancers. In the majority of patients, HCC is a deadly complication of liver cirrhosis resulting from underlying liver disease such as viral hepatitis. The remaining hepatic reserve of the cirrhotic patient contributes significantly to the availability of therapeutic options and often dictates outcome.
Extra-hepatic manifestations of hepatitis C
Q. What organs besides the liver are affected by HCV
A higher prevalence of immune-related disorders has been found in patients with HCV infection compared to uninfected controls, one above all mixed cryoglobulinemia and its sequelae, ranging from cutaneous and visceral vasculitis to glomerulonephritis and B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The ability of HCV to target lymphocytes-the most important step in the pathogenesis of virus-related immunological disorders- can explain also the important role of HCV in the genesis of systemic autoimmune diseases like Sjögren syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, hemolytic anemia and severe thrombocytopenia. The virus has been implicated also in organ-specific autoimmune diseases like thyroid disorders and autoimmune hepatitis.
Emerging and re-emerging infections in the era of globalization
Q & A session on emerging and re-emerging infections in the era of globalization with Prof Alessandro Zanetti, Department of Public Health-Microbiology-Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Milan, Italy.A higher prevalence of immune-related disorders has been found in patients with HCV infection compared to uninfected controls, one above all mixed cryoglobulinemia and its sequelae, ranging from cutaneous and visceral vasculitis to glomerulonephritis and B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The ability of HCV to target lymphocytes-the most important step in the pathogenesis of virus-related immunological disorders- can explain also the important role of HCV in the genesis of systemic autoimmune diseases like Sjögren syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, hemolytic anemia and severe thrombocytopenia. The virus has been implicated also in organ-specific autoimmune diseases like thyroid disorders and autoimmune hepatitis.
Emerging and re-emerging infections in the era of globalization
Download Newsletter, or view online.
NYC Hep 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
Newsletter
December 2015 Hep Free NYC Newsletter
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
Newsletter
December 2015 Hep Free NYC Newsletter
Upcoming Events
Advocacy
New Tools
News
Training & Technical Assistance
Journal Articles & Reports
Job Board
Funding Board
Join our network!
Treatment Action Group. Dec 10 (9 AM).
Meeting Highlights
The Brooklyn Hep C Task Force meeting included informative and exciting presentations on various hepatitis topics. Check out our meeting notes to view these presentations!
The Brooklyn Hep C Task Force meeting included informative and exciting presentations on various hepatitis topics. Check out our meeting notes to view these presentations!
November
View all newsletters, here.
Join Us
HepCBC’s MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
The hepc.bull, has been “Canada’s hepatitis C journal” since the late 1990′s and has been published nonstop since 2001. The monthly newsletter contains the latest research results, government policy changes, activities and campaigns you can get involved in, articles by patients and caregivers, and a list of support groups plus other useful links.
December Newsletter
hepc.bull -- 12 2015
Topics
Generic Drug Company
Before my visit to Lupin Limited in Pune, India, on November 20, 2015: OK, this is to prepare you for what I learned about generic drugs on November 20th. Close your eyes. What do you envision when I say: “Generic Drug Company in India”? If you’re like me, you probably have viewed these companies as inferior to companies which research and develop new drugs, rightfully hold the patents, and make the big bucks. After all, generic companies simply copy what someone else has spent years—in many cases, decades—working on, discovering the uses and analyzing the structure of unique new Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) molecules. They perfect the dosage and discover side-effects through clinical trials, while at the same time they’ve had to explore many research ‘dead ends’ which result in zero ‘payback’ before finally hitting on the ‘pay dirt’ of a commercially viable product.
SVR-HCC risk
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver cancer suffered by those with hepatitis C; it is often found in those who have not been treated whose disease has progressed. The new treatments, direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are curing almost everyone, but researchers in Houston, TX wanted to know if the risk of HCC goes away.
Other viruses that affect the Liver
Those of us who have or have had hepatitis C must take extra care so as to not get other infections, since many if not most of us still have scarring, even if the virus is gone. This means taking care, as before, not to expose our bodies to toxins or anything that can cause liver inflammation (such as tobacco, alcohol and fast foods).
Treatment Map
The Canadian Treatment Action Council (CTAC) in Toronto has developed a great new free online tool for getting the most current HCV treatment news in Canada
Holiday Letter from HepCBC
Gilead GT 4-6
Eradication
Conferences
Would YOU?/
Honour Roll
Begin here...
Generic Drug Company
Before my visit to Lupin Limited in Pune, India, on November 20, 2015: OK, this is to prepare you for what I learned about generic drugs on November 20th. Close your eyes. What do you envision when I say: “Generic Drug Company in India”? If you’re like me, you probably have viewed these companies as inferior to companies which research and develop new drugs, rightfully hold the patents, and make the big bucks. After all, generic companies simply copy what someone else has spent years—in many cases, decades—working on, discovering the uses and analyzing the structure of unique new Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) molecules. They perfect the dosage and discover side-effects through clinical trials, while at the same time they’ve had to explore many research ‘dead ends’ which result in zero ‘payback’ before finally hitting on the ‘pay dirt’ of a commercially viable product.
SVR-HCC risk
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver cancer suffered by those with hepatitis C; it is often found in those who have not been treated whose disease has progressed. The new treatments, direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are curing almost everyone, but researchers in Houston, TX wanted to know if the risk of HCC goes away.
Other viruses that affect the Liver
Those of us who have or have had hepatitis C must take extra care so as to not get other infections, since many if not most of us still have scarring, even if the virus is gone. This means taking care, as before, not to expose our bodies to toxins or anything that can cause liver inflammation (such as tobacco, alcohol and fast foods).
Treatment Map
The Canadian Treatment Action Council (CTAC) in Toronto has developed a great new free online tool for getting the most current HCV treatment news in Canada
Holiday Letter from HepCBC
Gilead GT 4-6
Eradication
Conferences
Would YOU?/
Honour Roll
Begin here...
GI & Hepatology News
GI & Hepatology News is the official newspaper of the AGA Institute and provides the gastroenterologist with timely and relevant news and commentary about clinical developments and about the impact of health-care policy. The newspaper is led by an internationally renowned board of editors.
GI & Hepatology Newsletter
December 2015 PDF (
13.7MB) | December 2015 Interactive VersionHighlights
FDA warns of serious liver injury from HCV drugs
Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir works in HCV
IDWeek: Despite better drugs, HCV deaths keep rising
GI and liver diseases remain public health burden
View newsletter archive
Blogs Around The Web
AJM Hepatitis C Resource Center - Hepatitis C Blog
The AJM Hepatitis C Resource Center provides both primary care providers and specialists with continually updated treatment guidelines, and an up-to-date repository of informative, freely-available, full-text articles to encourage effective HCV screening and diagnosis, and to highlight the promise of novel treatment regimens.
Exclusive Hepatitis C Interview: Daryl Luster
In your experience as a patient and also as someone who now works in this area, what are the biggest challenges associated with the hepatitis C epidemic in the U.S.?
Connect With Us On Twitter
Blogs Around The Web
AJM Hepatitis C Resource Center - Hepatitis C Blog
The AJM Hepatitis C Resource Center provides both primary care providers and specialists with continually updated treatment guidelines, and an up-to-date repository of informative, freely-available, full-text articles to encourage effective HCV screening and diagnosis, and to highlight the promise of novel treatment regimens.
Exclusive Hepatitis C Interview: Daryl Luster
DARYL LUSTER: In the U.S. and the world, the issue is access to screening, quality care, and treatment. I mean, really, that’s a major issue. It’s quite complicated in the U.S. because of the fact that there is no real universal health care in America. In fact, some people have no insurance, no coverage whatsoever.
The Hepatitis B Foundation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for hepatitis B and helping to improve the lives of those affected worldwide through research, education and patient advocacy. Visit www.hepb.org
Top Stories
India Launches Drive to Eradicate Hepatitis B Virus
Nov 30 – The health ministry in collaboration with UNICEF launched a media campaign, including megastar Amitabh Bachchan, with the resolve to make India Hepatitis B Virus-free by the next decade.
Read more.
Functional Liver Cells Grown in the Lab
Nov 30 – Researchers have developed a new technique for growing human liver cells in the laboratory, described as the “holy grail of liver research”, and would allow for a more efficient, lower cost means of studying viral hepatitis, liver cancer, fatty liver, and drug toxicity.
Functional Liver Cells Grown in the Lab
Nov 30 – Researchers have developed a new technique for growing human liver cells in the laboratory, described as the “holy grail of liver research”, and would allow for a more efficient, lower cost means of studying viral hepatitis, liver cancer, fatty liver, and drug toxicity.
Read more.
Coffee Linked to Reduced Liver Fibrosis in People with HBV, HCV, and NAFLD
Nov 30 – Drinking coffee was associated with lower liver stiffness, a non-invasive measure used to estimate liver fibrosis, in people with hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Coffee Linked to Reduced Liver Fibrosis in People with HBV, HCV, and NAFLD
Nov 30 – Drinking coffee was associated with lower liver stiffness, a non-invasive measure used to estimate liver fibrosis, in people with hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
HBV Advocate’s Blog
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Hepatitis & Tattoos
Tattoo Blog
HCV Advocate News & Pipeline Blog
Check Out Our Other Sites
HBV Advocate
HCV Advocate
Hepatitis & Tattoos
Tattoo Blog
HCV Advocate News & Pipeline Blog
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
World AIDS Day - Coinfection with HIV and Viral Hepatitis
An estimated 1.2 million persons are living with HIV in the United States. Of people living with HIV in the United States, about 25 percent are coinfected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), and about 10 percent are coinfected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). People living with HIV infection are disproportionately affected by viral hepatitis, and those who are coinfected are at increased risk for serious, life-threatening complications. HIV coinfection more than triples the risk for liver disease, liver failure, and liver-related death from HCV. Because viral hepatitis infection is often serious in people living with HIV and may lead to liver damage more quickly, CDC recommends all persons at risk for HIV be vaccinated against hepatitis B and be tested for HBV and HCV infection. December 1st has been designated World AIDS Day, creating an opportunity not only for raising awareness about HIV infection, but educating health professionals and the general public worldwide about the overwhelming burden of HIV and viral hepatitis coinfection, and the importance of testing, care, and treatment.
View more @ HBV Advocate Blog
Creating a World Free of Hepatitis C
by LUCINDA PORTERWelcome to my website and blog. My name is Lucinda Porter and I am a nurse committed to raising awareness about hepatitis C. I believe that we can create a world free of hepatitis C. We do this together, one step at a time.
on DECEMBER 3, 2015
View all entries, here.
Blogs At HepMag.com
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 HepMag.com are the go-to source for educational and social support for people living with hepatitis.Hepatitis C Advocate and Co-Founder, The Bonnie Morgan Foundation
Getting your TEAM formed - part 1
The important part is that your get your life on track and have someone there to help you hold yourself accountable. Everyone deserves to be cured....regardless.
Click here
Greg Jefferys
My Hep C Travel Diary, Hepatitis C Advocate
Dare we Dream of a Hep C-free Australia?
HIV/Hep C Co-infection activist; on treatment
1 December 2015: World AIDS Day
1 December 2015: World AIDS Day
On World AIDS Day I am grateful for all the activists who fought hard for access to the life saving medication which keeps me, and many hundreds of thousands of others, alive today. I also remember the thousands of men and woman who didn't live long enough to benefit from the medication.
Greg Jefferys
My Hep C Travel Diary, Hepatitis C Advocate
Dare we Dream of a Hep C-free Australia?
The Liver Clinic at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney will now monitor patients who are having their Hepatitis C treated with Indian generics.
Click here
Grace Campbell
A nom de guerre for a person living with hepatitis C on Viekira Pak + Ribavirin
Last Entry: Hepatitis C: It's 4 in the morning ...
It's 4am, I'm wide awake and for the first time in many years I am not frightened about the future.
Click here
Connie M. Welch
Passionate Encourager for Christ, Writer, Speaker, and Hep C Warrior
Overcoming Obstacles with Hep C
Hep C has many stages. Overcoming obstacles with Hep C is possible. No matter where you're at in fighting Hep C
click here
Matt Starr
Grace Campbell
A nom de guerre for a person living with hepatitis C on Viekira Pak + Ribavirin
Last Entry: Hepatitis C: It's 4 in the morning ...
It's 4am, I'm wide awake and for the first time in many years I am not frightened about the future.
Click here
Connie M. Welch
Passionate Encourager for Christ, Writer, Speaker, and Hep C Warrior
Overcoming Obstacles with Hep C
Hep C has many stages. Overcoming obstacles with Hep C is possible. No matter where you're at in fighting Hep C
click here
Matt Starr
Hepatitis, Liver Disease Support Coach
The Grouse and Waiting with Hep C
I have hepatitis C. I waited a long time for changes in my health, as a decade of battles with ongoing disease that changed my life. Ups and downs occurred, with lowlights that included a liver transplant, different treatments with low chances of success, and complications that continued beyond my sister's loving gift of her live liver donation. I won't go into details here, as it would end up reading like the long story that it is.
Enjoy the weekend, be safe.
Tina
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Enjoy the weekend, be safe.
Tina
