Research & Treatment News
March 24, 2009
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Learn why recent statistics do not tell the entire story about how Hepatitis C treatment affects men's sexuality.
by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.
A new study presented at the November 2008 Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases painted a grim picture of the sexual health of men with Hepatitis C who undergo treatment. However, further investigation into the details reveals this trial's weakness and should put most men at ease.
Although sex usually is a source of great pleasure, it can also be the cause of significant stress. Intertwined with aspects of one's physical, emotional and spiritual health, an adult's sexuality is complex. Despite the range of possible causes, a reduction in sexual desire, function or satisfaction can be extremely upsetting. Considering the complex union of neurological, psychological and physiological events that must unite for an optimal sexual experience to occur, it is not surprising when things occasionally are amiss.
The Study
Eight health centers across the U.S.A. collaborated on a study to determine the effect Hepatitis C combination therapy has on men's sexual health. Self-administered sexual health questionnaires were given to over 400 participants with Hepatitis C genotype 1 receiving a 48-week course of combination therapy. Containing five sexual health questions that assessed sexual desire, function (erection and ejaculation) and satisfaction, the questionnaires were given six times throughout a 72-week period.
At the start of therapy, the following was indicated:
· 37 percent reported an impairment of sexual desire
· 26 percent reported erectile dysfunction
· 21 percent reported ejaculatory problems
· 44 percent reported dissatisfaction with their sex life
Not surprisingly, the respondents reported a worsening in all areas of sexual health during interferon-based therapy:
· 53 percent reported an impairment of sexual desire
· 39 percent reported erectile dysfunction
· 31 percent reported ejaculatory problems
· 54 percent reported dissatisfaction with their sex life
Most areas of sexual health returned to their original levels at the end of the 72-week period. However, those who endured treatment for the full 48 weeks had a slightly higher erectile and ejaculatory dysfunction compared to before treatment began.
Reality
Although the percentages of men in this study with a lower than desired level of sexual function may seem like a lot, these numbers are meaningless without a comparison.
· According to a 1999 survey from the University of Chicago and the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, approximately 30 percent of men report sexual dysfunction. Although a slightly higher proportion of men with Hepatitis C said they had problems with sexual desire, function or satisfaction, the 1999 research based its findings on the general population.
· According to a Portuguese study published in the June 2008 edition of The Journal of Sexual Medicine, the prevalence of erectile dysfunction is strongly related to age and health status. They concluded that adjusting for age, the total prevalence of erectile dysfunction in men was slightly higher than 48 percent, a statistic that is very close to what was reported by men in the Hepatitis C study.
· According to a publication in the November 2008 edition of the International Journal of Impotence Research, testosterone levels fall as men age. Because testosterone plays a role in general and sexual health in men, it is no surprise that a higher percentage of older men report sexual dissatisfaction as opposed to younger men. Because the Hepatitis C study did not separate results according to age, its statistics are not specific enough to draw any conclusions.
Besides Age
For normal sexual arousal and function to occur, a person must feel good. Feeling well enough for sex involves feeling confident, being free from anxiety, having stamina for mental and physical stimulation, as well as the ability to focus attention on arousing thoughts or behavior. Anything that interferes with these conditions can disrupt a sexual encounter.
The severe side effects that accompany Hepatitis C therapy definitely have the potential to interfere with feeling good. Those affected who discuss their sexual health concerns with their physician have a greater chance of finding solutions. For more information about sexual dysfunction with chronic Hepatitis C, read How Hepatitis C Can Affect a Patient's Sex Life.
There are many components that must unite for sexual desire, function and satisfaction to work. Thus, isolating antiviral therapy as a predictor of sexual difficulties is unfair. The study disclosed in late 2008 makes it seem like receiving treatment for Hepatitis C spells trouble for a man's sex life. However, men over 40 years of age who don't have Hepatitis C and who are not undergoing combination therapy have a similar rate of sexual dysfunction. Therefore, do not dismiss the prospect of combination therapy on the basis of sex alone. Because, chances are, if the treatment works and you eliminate the virus, you will eventually feel good - and feeling good is the strongest predictor of vibrant sexual health.
References:
http://chronicle.uchicago.edu/990218/dysfunction.shtml, Researchers publish new study on sexual dysfunction, William Harms, Retrieved December 4, 2008, The University of Chicago Chronicle, February 1999.
http://www.healthnews.com/family-health/sexual-health/sexual-
dysfunction-affects-almost-half-american-women-2062.html, Sexual Dysfunction Affects Almost Half of American Women, Madeline Ellis, Retrieved December 3, 2008, HealthNews.com, November 2008.
http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/2008icr/aasld/docs/111408_a.html, Sexual Desire, Function, and Satisfaction in Men Undergoing Treatment with Interferon-based Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C, Liz Highleyman, Retrieved December 2, 2008, hivandhepatitis.com, November 2008.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sexual-health/HQ01363, Sexual health: How to achieve a fulfilling sexual relationship, David Osborne, PhD, Retrieved December 3, 2008, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2008.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18194181?ordinalpos=12&itool=
EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReport
Panel.Pubmed_RVDocSum, Prevalence, severity, and risk factors for erectile dysfunction in a representative sample of 3,548 Portuguese men aged 40 to 69 years attending primary healthcare centers: results of the Portuguese erectile dysfunction study, Teles AG, et al, Retrieved December 3, 2008, The Journal of Sexual Medicine, June 2008.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19037223?ordinalpos=5&itool=
EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReport
Panel.Pubmed_RVDocSum, Are declining testosterone levels a major risk factor for ill-health in aging men?, Yeap BB, Retrieved December 3, 2008, International Journal of Impotence Research, November 2008.
Posted by Editors at 12:03 PM --- Printer-friendly version
March 23, 2009
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Opening up new treatment possibilities, researchers from Scripps Institute have found molecules that prevent Hepatitis C viral production.
Study may lead to anti-hepatitis-C drug
JUPITER, Fla., Mar 12, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- U.S. researchers say they have identified key molecules that inhibit viral production in a study that might lead to new treatments for hepatitis C.
The research, led by Professor Donny Strosberg of the Scripps Institute in Jupiter, Fla., describes peptides (molecules of two or more amino acids) derived from the core protein of hepatitis C. The team found the peptides inhibit not only chemical reaction of the core protein -- the joining of two identical subunits -- but also production of the actual virus.
"We went for the simplest solution, taking a peptide from core to see if we could block the interaction," Strosberg said. "And it did."
The study is to be published by the Journal of General Virology and is available in the journal's March 4 pre-print online edition.
www.upi.com
Copyright 2009 by United Press International
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March 16, 2009
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While previously only approved for patients who had never taken any Hepatitis C drugs, Pegintron and Rebetol are now approved by the FDA for re-treatment.
Schering say FDA expands hepatitis drug labels
Associated Press, 03.11.09, 04:39 PM EST
The Food and Drug Administration expanded the label for Schering-Plough Corp.'s hepatitis C drugs Pegintron and Rebetol, allowing the company to market the drugs for patients who have not recovered from the disease after previous treatment.
Schering-Plough (nyse: SGP - news - people ) said Wednesday that the FDA approved the drugs for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in patients with compensated liver disease. They were already approved for use in "treatment-naive" patients, or those who had never taken any drugs for the liver disease.
The drugs are approved for use in patients 3 and older.
The company said more than 100,000 people in the U.S. have received at least one unsuccessful treatment for hepatitis C. Sales of Pegintron totaled $914 million in 2008, and Schering-Plough reported $260 million in Rebetol revenue.
Schering-Plough on Monday accepted a buyout offer from Merck and Co. (nyse: MRK - news - people ) worth $41.1 billion.
Copyright 2009 by Associated Press
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http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/03/11/ap6155863.html
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March 10, 2009
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Many with Hepatitis C are finding themselves between jobs, and thus without healthcare. Until their health coverage woes turn around, these two simple strategies can help stall Hepatitis C from inflicting liver damage in the interim.
by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.
Healthcare for chronic Hepatitis C is suffering from our economy’s recent decline. Whether without health insurance or unable to afford co-payments, the expensive care for Hepatitis C can be harder than ever to obtain. However, people can delay further damage from Hepatitis C during a lapse of health coverage. Avoiding alcohol and supplementing with milk thistle helps minimize the damage done by this virus. Until health insurance can be reinstated or supervised medical treatment can be otherwise financed, these two non-pharmaceutical, cost-effective tactics can help the liver defend against Hepatitis C’s constant assault.
Healthcare is one of the top social and economic problems facing Americans today. The majority of Americans (59-61 percent) have health insurance through their employer. Unfortunately, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a growing army of unemployed American adults with the unemployment rate at a 16-year high of 7.2 percent.
An estimated 50 million Americans currently live without health insurance, and of those who are employed and do have health coverage, an estimated 25 million are underinsured. Just as unemployment rates leave more people without affordable health insurance, the financial burden of healthcare for those with coverage is also rising. Many who have health insurance also struggle to pay their healthcare bills. Rising healthcare premiums, deductibles and steep co-payments, as well as limits on coverage for various services, or other limits and excluded services that can increase out-of-pocket expenses, all contribute to this problem. Thus, the inability to finance necessary medical care affects both the uninsured and the underinsured.
Even if a person with Hepatitis C has full health coverage, there are no guarantees. For starters, only about 50 percent of people with Hepatitis C genotype 1 (the most common variety in the U.S.) will successfully eliminate the virus with treatment. In addition, many insurance companies are putting limits on the therapy they will approve based upon the patient’s genotype – not based on the doctor’s recommendations. For more information about this growing trend, read Hepatitis C Genotype Guides Health Plans.
Although the economic crunch exacerbates the high price tag of Hepatitis C treatment, there is tremendous hope for the future. In all stages of development, hundreds of clinical trials are unraveling Hepatitis C’s mysteries, and finding innovative ways to beat this virus without compromising the infected person’s health.
For the underinsured, uninsured or those denied Hepatitis C treatment by a health carrier, there is a way to temporarily maintain the liver’s status quo. Pending therapy being financed or the approval of a more effective Hepatitis C drug cocktail, the liver can be protected by:
1. Avoiding Alcohol – Because alcohol exponentially accelerates the virus’ ability to damage and kill liver cells, abstaining from drinking alcohol is critical for prolonging the health of those with Hepatitis C.
2. Milk Thistle – Although it doesn’t kill the Hepatitis C virus, scientific evidence shows that high quality milk thistle protects the liver by promoting the growth of new liver cells, strengthening liver cell walls to resist damage and inhibiting inflammation.
By keeping your liver as healthy and resilient as possible, the Hepatitis C virus will be thwarted in its attempts at harm. Skipping alcohol and supplementing with milk thistle is not a solution for getting rid of Hepatitis C. However, combining these strategies can help you ride out the economic storm, or wait for the arrival of an improved (and affordable) course of treatment.
References:
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/infections/
hepatitis/071.html, Hepatitis C, Retrieved January 14, 2009, American Academy of Family Physicians, 2009.
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/hepatitisc/, CAM and Hepatitis C: A Focus on Herbal Supplements, Retrieved January 14, 2009, National Institutes of Health, 2009.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090113/ap_on_he_me/meltdown_supplement_sales
;_ylt=AvzLPe41yC5bxKThV0.BvDhZ24cA, With economy sour, consumers sweet on herbal meds, Lindsey Tanner, Retrieved January 14, 2009, The Associated Press, January 2009.
http://www.cpmc.org/learning/documents/hepatitisc-ws.html#How%20Much%20
will%20the%20Treatment%20Cost?, Frequently Asked Questions About Hepatitis C, Retrieved January 14, 2009, California Pacific Medical Center, 2009.
http://www.healthcareproblems.org/health-care-statistics.htm, Health Care Statistics, Retrieved January 15, 2009, HealthCareProblems.org, 2009.
http://www.hepatitis-central.com/mt/archives/2008/12/health_plans_gu.html, Hepatitis C Genotype Guides Health Plans, Angela Mass, Retrieved January 16, 2009, Natural Wellness, December 2008.
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/healthmc.htm, Health Insurance and the States, Retrieved January 15, 2009, National Conference of State Legislatures, January 2009.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/10/business/economy/10jobs.html?hp, Jobless Rate Hits 7.2%, a 16-Year High, Louis Uchitelle, Retrieved January 15, 2009, The New York Times, January 9, 2009.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/indepth_coverage/health/uninsured/how
weareinsured.html, The Uninsured in America, Leah Clapman, Retrieved January 16, 2009, MacNeil/Lehrer Productions, April 2007.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080201155652.htm, Alternative Medicine Use For Hepatitis C: Silymarin (Milk Thistle) Does Not Affect Virus Activity Or ALT Levels, Survey Suggests, Retrieved January 14, 2009, ScienceDaily LLC, February 2008.
Posted by Editors at 4:25 PM --- Printer-friendly version
March 5, 2009
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A Japanese firm is developing a pegylated version of interferon beta for those who do not respond to the conventional Hepatitis C therapy of ribavirin and interferon alpha.
JAPAN'S TORAY TESTING ALTERED INTERFERON FOR HEPATITIS C VIRUS
TOKYO, Feb 25, 2009 (AsiaPulse via COMTEX) -- TRYIY | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Toray Industries Inc. (TSE:3402) and a research team from the University of Tokyo have begun clinical trials on a modified form of interferon beta for treatment of hepatitis C.
This version of interferon beta is stabilized with PEG in a targeted manner to cloak the compound from the immune system. In tests using rabbits, unmodified interferon beta was eradicated from the blood in just a day, whereas Toray's PEG-modified interferon beta remained for six days. This suggests it might be possible to treat hepatitis C with weekly subcutaneous injections.
Tests in monkeys, mice and cultured human cells have confirmed the compound's safety, durability, and ability to inhibit the proliferation of the hepatitis C virus.
Over the past six months, Toray has conducted safety tests on 10 or so healthy subjects each given a single injection. And in the second half of this year, it will conduct tests giving subjects multiple injections. The firm expects to conduct clinical trials on actual patients infected with the hepatitis C virus starting in 2011. The goal is to file for approval of a new drug in 2015.
Toray is developing its PEG-modified interferon beta for hepatitis C patients who do not respond well to the conventional combination therapy of ribavirin and interferon alpha.
If the clinical trials produce good results, Toray will seek collaboration with pharmaceutical firms. The global market for hepatitis C drugs is worth roughly 200 billion yen.
(Nikkei)
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http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2193625/
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AcroMetrix announces proprietary technology for laboratories to improve cost, consistency and accuracy in determining Hepatitis C virus test results.
AcroMetrix Announces the Release of OptiQuant-S Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Panel
BENICIA, Calif., March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- AcroMetrix, a leading manufacturer of molecular quality control standards and controls for clinical diagnostic and blood testing laboratories, announced today the release of the OptiQuant-S HCV RNA Quantification Panel. This new panel utilizes AcroMetrix's proprietary SynTura(TM) Technology and provides laboratories with a critical component to fully optimize the Hepatitis C molecular assays available in today's market.
Viral Hepatitis B and C now account for greater than 75% of all cases of liver disease around the world(1). HCV patients are routinely monitored for changes in the amount of virus (i.e. viral load) present in the patient when undergoing therapy for the disease. Physicians rely on the accuracy of the viral load test result provided by the laboratory to adjust and manage the drug regiment for the patient.
"OptiQuant-S HCV represents our continued commitment to Hepatitis C diagnostic testing," says Michael J. Eck, President and CEO. "Medical laboratories utilizing the new OptiQuant-S HCV Panel will experience the benefits of a standardized product that offers consistent results with an enhanced dynamic range; and as a result reducing patient re-testing requirements and increasing savings in both labor and reagent costs."
SynTura(TM) Technology involves a second generation viral RNA material which behaves very similar to enveloped mammalian RNA viruses like HCV or HIV. This new technology allows insertion of synthetic sequences into a mammalian RNA virus which were shown to be stable in replication and capable of forming infectious RNase resistant virus particles. This new proprietary system can be used for designing defined RNA positive controls, quantification standards, internal controls, and calibrators. This product is for Research Use Only and is not for use in diagnostic procedures.
Reference:
(1) http://www.epidemic.org/theFacts/theEpidemic/worldPrevalence/
About AcroMetrix
AcroMetrix, with facilities in Benicia, California and Alkmaar, the Netherlands, provides a comprehensive line of molecular diagnostic quality control products that assist laboratories in meeting current government regulations regarding quality. AcroMetrix maintains this leadership role by consistently developing innovative standards, external run controls, and validation kits for molecular and serological testing in blood screening and clinical diagnostic laboratories. For more information on AcroMetrix and related products, please visit the company web site at http://www.acrometrix.com.
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March 2, 2009
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Because it showed potency against Hepatitis C in vitro, Abbott and Enanta Pharmaceuticals are beginning their first human trial for ABT-450. If this protease inhibitor fares well in healthy humans, it will progress to the next stage of testing.
Abbott and Enanta initiate Phase I hepatitis trial
Published: 23-February-2009
By Datamonitor staff writer
Abbott and Enanta Pharmaceuticals, a R&D company, have announced the advancement of their hepatitis C virus collaboration with a first-in-human study evaluating ABT-450, an oral protease inhibitor for the treatment of chronic HCV.
The objectives of the trial include assessment of safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics. ABT-450 was discovered as part of a worldwide alliance between Abbott and Enanta to discover, develop and commercialize protease inhibitors for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV).
The Phase I, double-blind, placebo-controlled study for ABT-450 is a single, ascending oral dose trial in healthy volunteers.
Jay Luly, president and CEO of Enanta, said: "ABT-450 demonstrated favorable potency in vitro across various HCV genotypes and highly resistant strains. We look forward to working with Abbott to advance ABT-450, and to our building a pipeline of HCV protease inhibitors that addresses this widespread disease."
Abbott is a health care company committed to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. In addition to developing HCV therapies, Abbott also offers laboratory tests for patient diagnosis, blood screening tests for hospitals and blood banks, and molecular diagnostic tests to measure HCV viral load and resistance.
Enanta Pharmaceuticals is a research and development company that uses its novel chemistry approach and drug discovery capabilities to create best-in-class small molecule drugs in the anti-infective field. Enanta is developing novel protease, polymerase and cyclophilin-based inhibitors targeted against the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Additionally, the company has created a new class of macrolide antibiotics, called Bicyclolides, which overcomes bacterial resistance.
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and_enanta_initiate_phase_i_hepatitis_trial_230209
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