January
2002
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archive if you sponsor an edition of this newsletter ($150)
Daniel B. MacKenzie -- January 16

Applications of Biomeridian Therapy to treatment of hepatitis C; www.doclisa.com
Location: SCC Conf. Rm 3&4 (see "Our Meetings" below right)

Meeting Agenda:
6:30 p.m. (sharp) - Theme Song: I Will Survive
6:35 - 6:45 announcements
6:45 - 8:00 Dan MacKenzie
8:00 - 8:30 (or earlier) questions/answers 'til we adjourn
Upcoming Agendas:


Feb 20 - to be announced
Mar 20 - to be announced
April 17 - to be announced
May - 15 to be announced
More News

Our Meetings: Our Meetings: 3rd Wednesday of every month; at SCC (Sutter Cancer Center) classrooms 3&4 , 2800 L St (kitty corner across from the 2-story parking structure at 28th & L St. and across L St. from Sutter Hospital)
Contact Us: Phone number: (916) 491-4942
Our Web Site> www.sacmall.net/transplant/hepc.html
Email: dck@innercite.com (include "I Will Survive" in subject line or your message might be delected before being read).

* Time to Renew your subscription to I Will Survive. Members who could not contribute last year want to thank those of you whose paid subscriptions made it possible for them to receive our newsletter. Hopefully, some more of you will be able to provide support for 2001.

If you want to be included on our mailing/emailing list and you can afford to include a check, make it to Eve Cragen, Treasurer I Will Survive, P.O. Bx 2180, Loomis, CA 95650, for:
$24 if you want the Newsletter by U.S. mail
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$ 0 if, right now, you can't afford to pay dues. In which case "I Will Survive" will mail monthly Newsletters to you. Please contribute to the "Donations" Box at the meetings as you are able.


From the Jan 2002 HCV Advocate:
The Top HCV stories of 2001:
...For the 2nd year in a row, the news related to pegylated interferon (peg-INF) tops the list of the most important stories of 2001.
........Schering: Unfortunately, the sustained virological response (SVR) of peg-INF (alpha 2b) + RIB (Ribavirin) has shown little improvement over standard INF + RIB combination therapy especially for those patients with genotype 1 and high viral loads. Also, on the basis of patient privacy, advocacy groups object to Schering's requirement that patients register by phone to be assured access to peg-INTRON.
........Roche: Perhaps due to the logistics of moving the production plant to Germany, the FDA did not approve of peg-INF (alpha 2a) in 2001, but that approval is expected in 2002. A Roche spokesperson says the delay is not related to any FDA concerns regarding the clinical nor safety data. The Roche data on SVR and histology appears to be more encouraging than that of Schering's products.
...2 manufacturer's have applied to the FDA to manufacture a generic version of Ribavirin. Lawsuits will delay FDA approval of generic Ribavirin for ~ 2 1/2 years.
...Some studies have demonstrated that early stage fibrosis and even advanced cases of cirrhosis can benefit from interferon therapy even for those that do not clear the virus.
...98% success is reported for INF therapy used for patients with acute HCV. On the other hand, 20-45% of these patients will clear HCV on their own.
...Researchers reported that 2 new Ribavirin-like drugs (Levovirin and Viramindine) have good immunomodulatory characteristics without the serious side effects of Ribavirin.
...Studies have shown increased risk of liver damage with excessive alchohol intake and with cigarette smoking. What remains unclear is if the results of alcohol consumption were exacerbated because of cigarette smoking.
If you have no money or insurance call:
Sacramento Clinical Trials
Schering's Commitment to Care 1-800-521-7157
Infergen's Safety Net Program 1-888-508-8088
Roche's Patient Assistance 1-800-443-6676
Dr. Gish, et al, call: Pacific Hepatology, (916) 443-0503
Dr. Pimstone UCD Med Center, (916) 734-1557
Dr. Rossaro UCD Med Cntr, call: Katherine Suggett (916) 734-8696



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