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Friday, June 1, 2018
News Recap:
HCV:
Large Study Confirms DAAs Protect Against HCC When Sustained Viral Response Achieved. Patients with hepatitis C virus who are successfully treated with direct-acting antiviral agents experience a dramatic reduction in their risk for liver cancer, new data show. However, the decrease is much lower for those diagnosed with cirrhosis before starting a DAA.
HCV Guidance Updated for Screening and Treating Key Populations. HCVGuidelines.org updated several sections of its website to reflect new hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing and management recommendations for pregnant women, people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men (MSM) and people who are incarcerated. These guidelines are for the USA; the above mentioned recommendations are already in the Canadian Guidelines issued in 2017.
When you think having a disease is ‘punishment’ for past behavior. While some diseases, such as cancer, elicit instant sympathy and caring, others, like hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, and mental illness are often shrouded in shame, fear, and misunderstanding. In fact, according to a survey by the World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA), more than 90 percent of countries report some degree of stigma and discrimination against those with viral hepatitis (primarily hepatitis C and B), which affects 325 million people globally.
Hepatitis C Virus Infection Linked to Gut Dysbiosis. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with gut dysbiosis, and the microbiome transition could be a biological indicator of chronic hepatitis C progression in patients with mild liver disease, according to a study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
HBV:
How Durable Is the Hepatitis B Vaccine? About 85% of a cohort of Alaskans who received the hepatitis B vaccine at age 6 months or older showed evidence of protection after 35 years, although some may require a booster dose, according to a study presented at the 2017 Liver Meeting.
ContraVir Pharmaceuticals’ Cyclophilin Inhibitor, CRV431, Reduces Development and Progression of Liver Tumors in Preclinical Hepatocellular Carcinoma Study. ContraVir Pharmaceuticals Inc, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapeutic drugs for the treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV), announced today new findings confirming that CRV431, a cyclophilin inhibitor, reduces the number and size of liver tumors in a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mouse model.