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Hepatitis C Main Forums => Hepatitis C Research News & Studies => Topic started by: beto on March 10, 2016, 07:21:55 pm

Title: 6 week Harvoni trial shows lower VL responds better
Post by: beto on March 10, 2016, 07:21:55 pm

http://www.croiwebcasts.org/console/player/29747?mediaType=slideVideo&

So many have speculated that lower viral loads may respond better than higher ones.  Only 26 in this study...all male.  So higher VL's may get longer tx in the future.  Also, treatment naive low VL folks might opt for 6 weeks.  Over 7 million was considered the high mark in this study. They followed participants through SVR12.

Title: Re: 6 week Harvoni trial shows lower VL responds better
Post by: FutureThinker on March 15, 2016, 12:54:59 pm

Thanks Beto, there is still much, much to learn about treating this disease.  We are the "pioneers"........ FT

Title: Re: 6 week Harvoni trial shows lower VL responds better
Post by: morab on April 23, 2016, 07:34:05 pm

So why do we have to take 12 weeks of Harvoni? Instead of 8? My F score was 0.66 and viral load is at around 600 thousand and not to the millions like others I see? I have read about 8 week treatments and wonder, Is the drug company trying to sell more drugs by doing this? Or does it actually take 12 weeks to work?
Curious

Title: Re: 6 week Harvoni trial shows lower VL responds better
Post by: FutureThinker on April 25, 2016, 12:12:25 pm

Hey Morab, they are still figuring out the best length of treatment.  Some studies show a shorter time, while others are showing a longer time.  Right now the AASLD is recommending 8 wks. of treatment cautiously, until further studies can verify. The research will determine this, not the drug companies. Personally, I am very glad to have gotten 12 weeks, vs. 8, for the level of info we currently have. For instance, Merck found with their new drug, Zepatier, that if certain RAVs were found prior to treatment, a longer treatment time of 16 weeks was recommended.  They are working diligently on getting this figured out.

Title: Re: 6 week Harvoni trial shows lower VL responds better
Post by: morab on April 25, 2016, 01:05:03 pm

Future Thinker,
After talking to Gilead/Harvoni, she said the Dr. prescribing determines the dose. But that with 12 weeks you odds of a cure are just enough higher to make sure of a total cure.
So 12 weeks I go!
Yesterday I suffered severe depression but today that is gone.
Like everyone is saying each day is different and I really look forward to being cured!
I am planning a major detox regime after taking the drug to cleanse my whole body and revive my liver.
Thanks again for all the support.
This forum is the only support I am getting as the Gastro Dr. I saw was not helpful at all nor are his staff.

Title: Re: 6 week Harvoni trial shows lower VL responds better
Post by: FutureThinker on April 25, 2016, 02:20:47 pm

Morab, so glad to hear today is better, just take it one day at a time and before you know it, weeks will have gone by! Keep focused on that goal of SVR.

I agree with Gilead in that the doctor determines the dose; what I was talking about is that the doctor determines your dose based on the research.  And a lot of research is still in the works on these drugs, as they are so new. I predict that in the near future, the screening process prior to starting treatment will be more personalized to our individual body's makeup.  Lots more to learn, including the best length of treatment.  FT