Bavituximab Shows Promising Anti-Viral Activity in Monotherapy HCV Trial
Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company developing targeted therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and hepatitis C virus infections, today reported top-line results on the effect of bavituximab (formerly Tarvacin) on viral RNA serum titers when administered as single dose monotherapy in a Phase Ia study in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In this analysis, bavituximab showed signs of anti-viral activity at all four study dose levels, and it also showed evidence of a prolonged anti-viral effect.
Jun 8, 2006, 06:18
Treating obesity improves efficacy of hepatitis C therapy
According to a new study, obese patients chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and treated with combination drug therapy may have better outcomes if the underlying abnormalities caused by excessive fat tissue are corrected. Weight loss, medications to decrease insulin resistance and extending duration or dosage of therapy are strategies that may improve the efficacy of therapy.
Jun 3, 2006, 09:44
Molecular mechanism that inhibits HCV replication discovered - Tang-Nelson study
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects more than 170 million people worldwide and leads to both acute and chronic liver diseases. Since its discovery several decades ago, the insidious human pathogen has stymied the quest for anti-viral therapies by refusing to reproduce in test tubes for more than a few hours or days, denying scientists an efficient virus production and infection system for experimental research.
Feb 8, 2006, 11:38
Extrahepatic sites may cause rapid recurrence of Hepatitis C after liver transplantation
When a diseased liver is removed from a patient with Hepatitis C (HCV), serum viral levels plummet. However, after receiving a healthy liver transplant, virus levels rebound and can surpass pre-transplant levels within a few days, according to a new study published in the February 2006 issue of Liver Transplantation, the official journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) and the International Liver Transplantation Society (ILTS).
Feb 3, 2006, 16:03
How Hepatitis C virus highjack protein synthesis machinery in humans
Scientists have uncovered key new information towards understanding the crucial first step in protein synthesis, the process by which the genetic code, harbored within DNA and copied into RNA, is translated into the production of proteins. This new information also helps to explain how viruses, such as Hepatitis C, are able to highjack protein synthesis machinery in humans for their own purposes.
Dec 4, 2005, 10:11
Breastfeeding does not raise risk of HCV transmission
Breastfeeding does not raise the risk of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV), according to two new studies published in the December 1 issue of The Journal of Infectious Diseases, now available online.
Nov 1, 2005, 12:53
Celgosivir Cleared for Phase IIb Combination Study in HCV Non-responders
MIGENIX Inc. , a clinical-stage developer of drugs for infectious and degenerative diseases, has received a Notice of Authorization from Health Canada for a clinical trial application (CTA) to begin a Phase IIb combination study of MX-3253 (celgosivir), a compound in development for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Enrollment in the study is expected to commence in the next few weeks with results expected around mid- year calendar 2006.
Aug 11, 2005, 23:19
Albuferon in Phase 2b Trial for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C
Human Genome Sciences, Inc. announced today that it has begun dosing patients in a Phase 2b clinical trial of Albuferon(TM) (albumin-interferon alpha) in combination with ribavirin to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Albuferon in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 who are naive to interferon alpha-based treatment regimens. Genotype 1 accounts for nearly 70% of all HCV infections in North America and is generally regarded as the most difficult HCV genotype to treat.(1)
Jun 2, 2005, 13:16
Valopicitabine Shows Potential Therapeutic Response in the Treatment of Genotype 1 Hepatitis C Patients
Apr 14, 2005, 20:33