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Hepatitis C Studies are Now Avalable

Hepatitis C Research: New Therapies for Patients Previously Treated with Interferon and Ribavirin, and Those Naive to Antiviral Therapy
Opportunities are available to participate in clinical research protocols through Liver Specialists of Texas and Research Specialists of Texas.
 
Update: New Hepatitis C Drugs Approved: read more
 
About half of all people with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection achieve a sustained virological response (SVR) or undetected HCV, with the standard treatment of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin; rates are even lower for patients with difficult-to-treat HCV genotype 1. Researchers have studied various antiviral agents that directly target various stages of the HCV lifecycle”. Namely protease inhibitors have shown promising results.
 
For patients who have been previously treated with Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin and have not responded to treatment or have relapsed while on this treatment you may be eligible for some upcoming studies here at the Research Specialists of Texas. These studies will be looking at a new line of treatment in combination with standard therapy called protease inhibitors for patients with Hepatitis C genotype 1. Protease inhibitors prevent the Hepatitis C virus from replicating or producing more of the virus in your system. You cannot get this medication by prescription as it is not yet approved by the FDA and requires participation on current clinical trials. You are not guaranteed treatment with the protease inhibitors as these studies are placebo controlled, meaning you may receive only standard of care treatment and not the protease inhibitor, but a pill that has no medication that resembles the protease inhibitor.
 
We are looking to enroll participants from now through the winter 2011. To be considered for participation you MUST be considered a non responders or relapser to treatment, in other words patients who have not responded to standard of care treatment are those who have had documented responsiveness to interferon therapy with a 2 log decrease in their viral count after 12 weeks of treatment, but never achieved a negative viral count. Patients who have relapsed while on standard of care treatment are patients who have become virus free or undetected at some point while on treatment, but did not achieve a sustained negative viral response. Patients who have stopped treatment due to side effects or of their own accord, and HAVE responded to treatment, but were not instructed to stop treatment by their physician for one of the reasons above are not eligible.

If you believe you qualify for these studies please contact Herman Ortiz at Research Specialists of Texas by phone 713 794 0700. All costs associated with the study are paid for by the sponsor of the study.

Comments for Hepatitis C Studies are Now Avalable:

Total Comments: 21
  • patrick on 11-Sep-11 11:37 AM permalink

    i was treated with antiferon in 2001,still have it,dr. told me there was new treatment,,im in austin or san antonio,tx area

  • James on 30-Aug-11 6:56 AM permalink

    I have HCV Gen - 1 and likely have had the virus for more then 20 years. I live outside of the United States and have received treatment of Interferon / Ribavirin protpcal for one year. However, had a breakthrough in my last few months of treatment. I finished the treatment but bottom line is that the virus in back. Last two months of the treatment protocol I had to be hospitalized and found that I was diabetic. Looking for other options to rid myself of HCV.

  • mariesa on 16-Jun-11 12:47 PM permalink

    My friend has hep. c and really needs this study. He has no insurance of any kind and would in my words would really benefit from this trial. Please contact us at vmariesa@yahoo.com

  • Cheryl on 6-May-11 3:40 PM permalink

    I need a second opinion, referred by a current patient who was on a clinical trial years ago. I have also been non-responsive to a 12 week interferon/riboviron treatment with Dr. Harold Hammat. He wants to start another treatment when new drugs come out (said approx 3 mo). This was 2009. Will call for appt. Regards, Cheryl H

  • laura on 24-Apr-11 2:01 AM permalink

    i need hepititis c help. I have it. 210 815 7751

  • Moni on 11-Apr-11 10:07 PM permalink

    My boss has hep.c, and has gotton sicker over the last couple of months. Looking for a website to get info about this infection and symptoms of it.

  • peggy on 26-Mar-11 1:46 PM permalink

    I have received in the past 3 years diferent studies and not completly responded in a a good way.. My last biopsy was said to be in a good way,however I fave a virus lately that makes my mouth have fever bliste<br>fferent scales of studies and did not respond to them completely. I seems to dorp<br>dorpant. I know k I am sure there are ptients a new start and completely need it most.<br>Thanks

  • peggy on 26-Mar-11 1:45 PM permalink

    I have received in the past 3 years diferent studies and not completly responded in a a good way.. My last biopsy was said to be in a good way,however I fave a virus lately that makes my mouth have fever bliste<br>fferent scales of studies and did not respond to them completely. I seems to dorp<br>

  • charles on 18-Jan-11 3:22 PM permalink

    I am a retired vet on disability, with no other insurance. My wife has Hep C and needs to find a treatment option that works, and could really benefit from this study. I cannot afford to send her for treatment anywheere else. Please, let me know what I can do.

  • Jeff on 8-Jan-11 12:53 PM permalink

    I believe I qualify for the hepatitis C study. I do not have insurance and need help. please contact me at my email pickc44@yahoo.com

  • Rick on 2-Nov-10 12:46 PM permalink

    I would be interesred in one of these studies

  • Darla on 26-Oct-10 12:24 PM permalink

    I am very interested in a study. I was on interferon and ribvarian with you for 12 months - was at zero in 8 months of that 12. Does that make me a candidate for this study or any other?

  • joe on 30-Aug-10 2:27 PM permalink

    i am a patient of dr. galati..i read alot of the treatments,but i have one serious question? how is everyone able to pay for it,my ins wont.so does that mean that i go untreated,because i dont quailify for these studies?

  • Eric on 14-Jan-10 2:21 PM permalink

    I am Intrested in this study. Hepatitis C Studies Hepatitis C Research: New Therapies for Patients Previously Treated with Interferon and Ribavirin

  • Mark on 26-Jul-09 10:03 PM permalink

    What is the name and manufacturer of the drug being tested?

  • Raj on 5-May-09 3:42 PM permalink

    I am Intrested in this study.<br>Hepatitis C Studies <br>Hepatitis C Research: New Therapies for Patients Previously Treated with Interferon and Ribavirin

  • Eugene on 18-Mar-09 7:19 PM permalink

    I have hep c and was treated with Interferon 12 years ago. I contacted the Dr. John Clemmons and my records have been purged. I don't know if this would dis-qualify me from the study.

  • Roseann on 28-Feb-09 4:46 PM permalink

    I had to stop treatment for hep c genotype 1 after 6 months of treatment. Initially I was responding, however, my blood counts decreased considerably, and I become anemic. My viral load began to increase. My doctor stopped treatment. Would I qualify?

  • Edi on 3-Dec-08 1:53 PM permalink

    Mr. Ortiz,<br>I just got off the phone with the medical records dept. at Dr. Phyliss Changs office. They sent you the wrong records the other day. She is getting more information for you and sending it over today. But according to what she said over the phone it looks like the lab for the virus after the start of treatment was 16 weeks later. Not 12 weeks. If I remember correctly you specified it had to be at 12 weeks. Please let me know if this is correct. Thank you for your time.

  • Amber on 6-Nov-08 10:40 AM permalink

    what happens if hepitic c goes untreated

  • EMMANUEL on 31-Oct-08 11:34 PM permalink

    i have takeing interferron and ribavirin and it work for me . i am a 55yrs old and liveing with hiv send 1985 and i just got off of a study call IL=2 AND I HAVE HEPAITIS-C and a liverdeoder i am being tretis at the VA hopital in atlanta ga. and if you thank your stuy can work for me please give me a call my #4046080881. ho i am in good heath my T=cell is over 1000 and verlode is undetestable right now i am takeing norvir truvada and reyataz and lisinopril andfinasterie and fish oil and beta pr


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