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Hep C Support Group

Trying to make a difference in the lives of those with Hepattitis C. If we ... more

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Dletmedown

Joined: 03/02/2010

My Story:

I am a male born 6-20-1953, diagnosed 2002 geno type 1A. I have not treated to date. We all have burning questions about hepatitis "C". I hope that this site can help with answers to those questions so that we can all better cope with this disease. It is not an automatic death sentence. So especially if you are newly diagnosed read everything you can find about it. Keep in mind if you look long enough you will find information that you would have rather not read. Some is true and there is a lot of false information out there. The doom and gloom get your things in order and wait to die stuff. You will more than likely live a long life and die from something else. Knowledge is power and power is knowledge. I hope we can share our faith & belief in God & be respectful of one another’s opinions & beliefs. We can all agree to disagree. God has given me a peace I have never had before I found out that I had Hep "C" So obviously I want you to have that same peace. God is the ultimate physician & has the final say. No co-pays & No deductibles, He is open for business 24 hours a day 7 days a week & He still makes house calls. I hope God will bless each & everyone who comes here & give you that same peace He has given me. Check out the Hep “C” links. There are wonderful sites out there with great information. I am not concerned about trying to be worldly & politically correct I'm just trying to share what God has done in my life with others who are looking for more than what doctors & medicine have to offer. I hope you will become a part of the SOLUTION!.
I have Hepatitis C articles & research that I have been posting since diagnosed with Hep C in 2002. I hope it can help make your journey with Hepatitis C an easier one than it has been for me. We ALL need to pay it forward & share what we can to help our brothers & sisters with Hep C.
Check out the links below for information:

Founder / Owner ( HEP "C" SUPPORT GROUP )
http://hepcsupportgroup.multiply.com/ http://www.myspace.com/hepcsupportgroup
drsletmedown@yahoo.com
( Get Tested )

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There "IS" A CURE but GREED is keeping us from get...

Shame, Shame, Shame on these GREEDY $ MONEY & PROFIT Driven people to CONTINUE to...

Posted by Dletmedown

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:There "IS" A CURE but GREED is keeping us from getting it. Shame, Shame, Shame on these GREEDY $ MONEY & PROFIT Driven people to CONTINUE to...

"NEW" TRIAL - NO Interferon & NO Biopsy ALL pills

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01435044?term=quantum&rank=1 ...

Posted by Dletmedown

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C-Diff (Clostridium Difficile) (C. Difficile)? Do ...

I am fighting this & my first round of treatment failed. "EVERYONE" needs to "READ"...

Posted by Dletmedown

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:C-Diff (Clostridium Difficile) (C. Difficile)? Do "YOU" Know About This ? You Should ! I am fighting this & my first round of treatment failed. "EVERYONE" needs to "READ"...

New Hepatitis C Drugs in the Works

New Hepatitis C Drugs in the Works Study Show 2 Experimental Drugs Are Able to Reduce...

Posted by Dletmedown

New Hepatitis C Drugs in the Works Study Show 2 Experimental Drugs Are Able to Reduce Virus Levels in Blood By Salynn Boyles
WebMD Health News Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD

Oct. 14, 2010 -- The long wait for new drugs that cure hepatitis C virus (HCV) may soon be over.
In early research, a combination of two experimental, oral, direct-acting antiviral drugs dramatically reduced levels of the virus in the blood of infected patients over two weeks of treatment.
And studies of other experimental drugs that also directly target HCV are under way.
For decades, injected interferon and oral ribavirin have been the only treatment options available, but only a small fraction of patients have access to the drugs. And many patients who start them soon stop due to side effects.
Today's standard HCV treatment -- combination pegylated interferon and ribavirin -- cures about half of patients with genotype 1 HCV. Genotype 1 is the most common HCV type in the U.S. and the hardest one to treat.
"We are on the eve of a new era in hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment," HCV expert David L. Thomas, MD, of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine writes in an editorial appearing in the Oct. 15 issue of TheLancet.
He adds that in the foreseeable future, "nearly all those who are treated might be cured."
Avoiding Drug ResistanceResearchers say the newly published study represents a "proof of concept" that the combined oral direct-acting antiviral therapy similar to that now used to manage HIV can dramatically lower virus levels. But longer studies are needed to determine if the approach can cure patients by completely eradicating the virus.
Direct-acting antiviral drugs work by blocking viral replication. When the drugs are given as single agents, patients typically become resistant to them, often within as little as two to four weeks, study researcher Edward J. Gane, MD, tells WebMD.
"The point of this approach was to use a combination of direct-acting agents that have different mechanisms of action to avoid resistance," he says.
The study included 88 patients with chronic HCV infection living in New Zealand and Australia, treated for up to 13 days with various doses of a combination of the experimental antiviral drugs RG7128 and danoprevir or placebo.
All the patients had genotype 1 infections. Some had been treated unsuccessfully with interferon and others had never been treated before.
Over the course of treatment, HCV levels in the blood of some patients who took the experimental drugs dropped so low that they were undetectable.
Few treatment-related side effects were reported, even at higher doses. And none of the patients developed drug resistance.
New Treatments ComingPerhaps most significantly, patients who had been treated unsuccessfully with interferon responded almost as well as those who had never been treated.
"Right now we really have nothing to offer patients who have failed interferon," Gane says. "This would be a big step forward."
The researchers estimate that the total treatment time to eradicate HCV infection would be about 8 to 12 weeks -- about one-fourth the length of a standard course of interferon treatment.
They hope to confirm this in future studies and to determine if adding ribavirin to the treatment regimen improves outcomes.
Thomas says it remains to be seen whether this combination or another combination of direct antiviral drugs will prove most effective.
"But there will be interferon-free treatment of hepatitis C. It is just a matter of time," he tells WebMD. "This is the first study to be published that moves us in that direction, but it won't be the last."View Thread

Posted byDletmedown

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WHY ? does it have to be SO HARD to get informatio...

WHY ? does it have to be SO HARD to get information that is current & up to date ?...

Posted by Dletmedown

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Daniel's Story It's "AWSOME" Praise God

Hello there, Eight and a half years after my Liver Transplant and the Diabetes, Massive...

Posted by Dletmedown

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Reply: dont know what to do...

First I would find another doctor. Read everything you can find so you can make your own...

Posted by Dletmedown

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Participate In This Hep C Webinar

[hepcunited> Webinar: Hepatitis Advocacy in August Learn about the important work...

Posted by Dletmedown

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Participate In This Hep C Webinar [hepcunited> Webinar: Hepatitis Advocacy in August Learn about the important work...

FDA Approves First Rapid Hepatitis C Virus Antibod...

FDA Approves First Rapid Hepatitis C Virus Antibody Blood Test ...

Posted by Dletmedown

FDA Approves First Rapid Hepatitis C Virus Antibody Blood Test

SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on June 25 that it has approved the first rapid test for hepatitis C virus (HCV), known as the OraQuick Hepatitis C Rapid Antibody Test. The test -- already available in Europe -- uses whole blood drawn from a vein, does not require laboratory processing, and returns results in about 20 minutes. A positive result should be followed up with a confirmatory test using traditional HCV testing methods, according to the FDA. OraSure Technologies expects to begin shipping the new test by early August. OraSure has also developed and is awaiting decisions on HCV tests that use a small amount of blood from a finger stick or oral fluid, as currently exist for HIV.

Below is an excerpt from a press release issued by OraSure describing the Hepatitis C Rapid Antibody Test and its approval. OraSure Technologies Receives FDA Approval for
OraQuick HCV Rapid Test, the First Rapid HCV Test
Approved for Sale in the U.S.

Bethlehem, Pa. -- June 25, 2010 -- OraSure Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:OSUR) announced today that its OraQuick Hepatitis C ("HCV") Rapid Antibody Test has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") for use in detecting HCV antibodies in venous whole blood specimens, making it the first rapid HCV test approved by the FDA for use in the United States.

"The OraQuick HCV test efficiently identifies previously undiagnosed HCV infected individuals who are at risk," said Eugene R. Schiff, MD, MACP, FRCP, MACG, AGAF, University of Miami School of Medicine. "We at the University of Miami found this test to be user-friendly, practical and an important tool for rapid HCV antibody detection."

"We believe that the OraQuick HCV Rapid Antibody Test, with its simplicity and speed, will be a critical tool in identifying more at risk individuals infected with hepatitis C in the U.S., and thus represents a significant market opportunity," said Douglas A. Michels, President and Chief Executive Officer of OraSure Technologies. "Obtaining FDA approval of our OraQuick HCV Rapid Antibody Test for venous whole blood represents a major milestone for our Company."

OraQuick HCV is the only rapid, point-of-care test for the detection of antibodies to the hepatitis C virus in venous whole blood specimens that is approved by the FDA. The test, which utilizes the OraQuick technology platform, provides results in 20 minutes. The OraQuick HCV Rapid Antibody Test is the latest rapid test manufactured by OraSure to receive FDA approval. OraSure had previously received FDA approval for its OraQuick ADVANCE Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test for use with oral fluid, fingerstick and venous whole blood and plasma samples.

In the U.S., there are an estimated 4.1 million Americans, or 1.6 percent of the population, that are or have been infected with HCV. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC"), new infections in the U.S. are estimated at approximately 20,000 per year. On a worldwide basis, there are an estimated 180 million people who are chronically infected with HCV, with an estimated 3 to 4 million individuals newly infected each year.

According to the World Health Organization, most cases of HCV infection are currently undiagnosed and up to 80 percent of HCV-positive individuals show no signs or symptoms.

In December 2009, the Company received the CE mark for its OraQuick HCV Rapid Antibody Test for use with oral fluid, whole blood, serum and plasma specimens. The CE mark was required in order to sell the product in the European Union.

As previously announced, OraSure has entered into agreements with Merck & Co. (through its predecessor Schering Plough Corporation) to collaborate on the development and promotion of the OraQuick HCV test. Under the terms of these agreements, the Company has been and will be reimbursed by Merck for a portion of its costs to develop the test and obtain regulatory approvals. Additionally, Merck will provide promotional support, including detailing the test in the physicians' office market in those countries in which the Company has obtained approval.

About OraSure Technologies

OraSure Technologies develops, manufactures and markets oral fluid specimen collection devices using proprietary oral fluid technologies, diagnostic products including immunoassays and other in vitro diagnostic tests, and other medical devices. These products are sold in the United States as well as internationally to various clinical laboratories, hospitals, clinics, community-based organizations and other public health organizations, distributors, government agencies, physicians' offices, and commercial and industrial entities.

OraSure Technologies is the leading supplier of oral-fluid testing solutions for drugs of abuse and for the detection of antibodies to HIV.

For more information on the company, please go to www.orasure.com .
7/2/10
Sources
R Klein and K Struble (Food and Drug Administration). FDA Approves Rapid Test for Antibodies to Hepatitis C Virus. Press release. June 25, 2010.
OraSure Technologies. OraSure Technologies Receives FDA Approval for OraQuick(R) HCV Rapid Test, the First Rapid HCV Test Approved for Sale in the U.S. Press release. June 25, 2010.
View Thread

Posted byDletmedown

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Eiger HCV NS4B Inhibitor Exhibits Synergy with Exp...

Eiger HCV NS4B Inhibitor Exhibits Synergy with Experimental HCV Protease Inhibitors ...

Posted by Dletmedown

Eiger HCV NS4B Inhibitor Exhibits Synergy with Experimental HCV Protease Inhibitors

SUMMARY: The investigational hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS4B inhibitor clemizole demonstrated synergistic antiviral activity with the HCV protease inhibitors telaprevir and boceprevir -- meaning the combined effect was greater than the added effects of the 2 drugs used separately -- without increased toxicity, according to a laboratory study published in the July 1, 2010 Journal of Infectious Diseases .

The study also found that clemizole showed an additive, rather than synergistic, effect when combined with interferon, ribavirin, or the HCV polymerase inhibitors valopicitabine and HCV-796 (both discontinued).
The study authors, led by Jeffrey Glenn from Stanford University, founder of Eiger BioPharmaceuticals (the company developing clemizole), concluded that "Inclusion of clemizole in future anti-HCV cocktails can represent an attractive paradigm for increasing current virologic response rates."

Below is the text of a press release from Eiger BioPharmaceuticals providing more information about the study.
Eiger BioPharmaceuticals Announces New HCV Synergy Data
Publication describes high level of synergy of clemizole with protease inhibitor class

Palo Alto, Calif. -- July 1, 2010 -- Eiger BioPharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology company developing antiviral therapies, announced today the publication of research from the lab of Stanford scientist and Eiger Founder, Dr. Jeffrey Glenn, MD, PhD and colleagues entitled, "The Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) NS4B RNA Binding Inhibitor Clemizole is Highly Synergistic with HCV Protease Inhibitors."

"This work demonstrates that clemizole can yield high-level synergy with the protease inhibitor class," said David Cory, President and CEO of Eiger. "Inclusion of clemizole in future anti-HCV cocktails represents an attractive paradigm for increasing virologic response rates and may minimize unwanted side effects and combat drug resistance to HCV protease inhibitors."

"Clemizole appears to be able to dramatically increase the in vitro efficacy of other agents such as the NS3 protease inhibitors in advanced clinical development," said Jeffrey Glenn, M.D., Ph.D., Founder of Eiger. "The addition of clemizole to regimens may allow protease inhibitors to be used at lower doses, thereby maintaining the desired antiviral efficacy while avoiding the toxicities associated with the protease inhibitors such as severe rash and anemia. Clemizole has the potential to be an ideal component of future anti-HCV cocktails."

About NS4B and Clemizole

Binding of the non-structural protein NS4B to the 3' terminus of the HCV negative RNA strand is a recently identified target for drug intervention. The requirement of this target for viral replication has been genetically validated. The two component nature of this target, involving interaction between NS4B and HCV-RNA, creates mutational constraints that should decrease resistance to pharmacologic inhibitors, compared to agents designed against a single component target such as the NS3 protease. Clemizole hydrochloride was identified as a specific inhibitor of NS4B-RNA binding. The anti-HCV activity of clemizole is currently being investigated across genotypes in multiple HCV clinical proof of concept trials as a cocktail component with standard of care medications.

About Eiger BioPharmaceuticals, Inc.

Eiger is focused on the discovery and development of new antiviral agents against novel targets for the treatment of hepatitis virus infections. Eiger's pipeline includes repurposed clinical stage therapeutic agents as well as preclinical NCEs from discovery that exhibit antiviral activity against Hepatitis C, Hepatitis D, and other viruses. Eiger investors include InterWest Partners (www.interwest.com) and Vivo Ventures (www.vivoventures.com).

For more information see www.eigerbio.com .

Investigator affiliations: Divisions of Infectious Diseases & Geographic Medicine and Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA; Veterans Administration Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA.

7/9/10
Reference
S Einav, HD Sobol, E Gehrig, and JS Glenn. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS4B RNA binding inhibitor clemizole is highly synergistic with HCV protease inhibitors. Journal of Infectious Diseases 202(1): 65-74 (Abstract ). July 1, 2010.

Other source
Eiger BioPharmaceuticals. Eiger BioPharmaceuticals Announces New HCV Synergy Data. Press release. July 1, 2010.
View Thread

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