New studies, new medication.

[chino1969]

Hello All.
I had a follow up visit with my Hepatologist last week at U of Penn. Hospital in Philly.  I cleared Hep C after 24 weeks.  I have some fibrosis.  I’m taking part in two clinical studies being run at Penn.  One is to develop a more precise blood test to replace the AFP test.  The other is to track and document liver fibrosis in those with cirrhosis who cleared Hep C.  The data will be a two fold win.  My situation will be monitored by a clinical team and the data will contribute to the study.  My Dr. indicated there is research and drug development ongoing to help heal a cirrhotic liver.
The second piece of info.  gleaned from this visit is they are worked on a single pill that is effective for all genotypes.  It is basically fine tuning or tweaking Harvoni.
If you are waiting in the wings or have relapsed, as I did before Harvoni, have faith.  This disease is on it’s way to eradication.  Hang in there and good luck to all.

[marybarter]

Thank you very much for going to the trouble to post this for us.  This is the first I've heard of a study on a new blood test to show fibrosis.  The current one (fibrosure) is not accurate in many cases.  It's so encouraging to hear that there's a new drug in the works and a more accurate test!  Finally, you are so kind and helpful for dispersing this information to all of us. 

[FutureThinker]

Chino1969, thanks much for the heads up on your clinical trials -- great news to hear! I agree this monster is going to be eradicated and we are on our way.  FT

[Joe NM]

Yeah, Gilead has a new one that will probably be FDA approved mid-summer. Sovaldi ('sofosbuvir) + velpatasvir (trade name TBA): http://hepatitiscnewdrugs.blogspot.com/2016/01/gileadfda-grants-priority-review-for.html, http://www.gilead.com/news/press-releases/2015/9/gilead-announces-svr12-rates-from-four-phase-3-studies-evaluating-a-oncedaily-fixeddose-combination-of-sofosbuvir-sof-and-velpatasvir-vel-gs5816-for-the-treatment-of-all-six-hepatitis-c-genotypes

And there's another really early-phase trials, they did one so far that cured 10 out of 10 cirrhotic genotype 3's with an 8-week treatment, Sovaldi/Velpatasvir plus one more investigational drug...may be a while before this comes out, and not sure if it will be single tablet, but both of these combos are showing low side-effect profiles (similar to Harvoni) and cure rates >98%, so far at least. I'm really hoping the price goes down for these and more insurance will cover it!

[chino1969]

mary,
Allow me to clarify the two studies I volunteered for.  The first is to come up with a more accurate one than the current AFP.  The second will track fibrosis beginning with baseline bloodwork along with a yearly Fibroscan.  The pre-req. to this second study is to have an endoscopy performed which is scheduled in April.  I will then begin the clinical study in June.  It is a 5 year study which tracks liver fibrosis and whether it begins to heal.  One has to have had Hep C and cleared it to be considered for the study.  It is a win win for the patient as well as the study.  I'll post more once I get more info. and begin the study.