25-Sep-08 6:00 PM CST

New Hepatitis C Research Study to Begin: Update September 2009

Dr. Joseph S. Galati and Liver Specialists of Texas are pleased to announce the start of a new investigational study for patients with hepatitis C.

As of September 2009, we will be having additional investigational studies for patients with hepatitis C. The studies are classified for patients based on any prior treatment for HCV.

Naive patients have never received any form of anti-viral therapy for hepatitis C. This would include Rebetron, Intron A, Ribavirin, PEG-Intron, Pegasys, or Infergen.

Other classes of patients will include those previously treated with any of the above drugs. Further, patients will be classified as either responder-relapsers, or non-responders.

Once we are able to screen your records, we can detwrmine if you could participate in any of the studies. There are several large companies sponsoring these studies, with a number of very exciting medications that will be used.

The basic inclusion criteria for these study include:

male or female between 18-70 years old
HCV-RNA > 1000 IU/ml
HCV genotype 1
Diagnosed > 6 months before screening
No prior HCV treatment or
Failed at least 1 prior course of PEG-interferon /Ribavirin

If you feel you may be a candidate for this resaerch study, contact Herman Ortiz at 832-317-4665 for additional details and information. Patients accepted into the study will receive all treatment related care free of charge (labs, clinic visits, all study medication) as well as receive a financial reimbursement for each clinic visit.

Additional hepatitis C studies are underway in addition to this study, targeting patients who have never been treated with any anti-viral therapy. You can contact Herman Ortiz and Liver Specialists of Texas for additional details.

Comments for New Hepatitis C Research Study to Begin: Update September 2009:

Total Comments: 16

Ricky on 28-Sep-09 8:04 PM permalink
I would like to know more about this re-search would i be a good candinate
shyrrel on 18-Aug-09 10:59 AM permalink
I did a clinical study for albuferon with Dr. Galati in 2-007 for 5 months, but had to discontinue because of low blood count. I am 64 years old, and would like to know if I can qualify for thiee new study. I am a Gen 1, female, and a responder. I showed non detection in 12 weeks. Procrit was not allowed with the study. Please advise. I should make a good study case. Am in excellent health now.
jeff on 26-Dec-08 9:42 PM permalink
lets do it.
James on 8-Oct-08 11:07 AM permalink
I have gone through two prior treatments. Third time could be a charm. This sounds GREAT!
John on 30-Sep-08 11:19 AM permalink
New hope for those of us who did not respond to other treatments. I would like very much to be a part of this study.
arnita on 27-Sep-08 9:51 PM permalink
What about the boceprevir study? When will it begin?
Jerry Lynn on 26-Sep-08 3:54 PM permalink
I am so excited to have hope again as I did not respond to the other treament!
Joseph on 26-Sep-08 1:52 PM permalink
The side effects from the new protease inhibitor, VX-950, has one interesting side effect. A rash develops and is well described in prior studies. In most cases it is mild, though in certain cases, therapy will need to be discontinued. When this is added to interferon and ribavirin, the overall side effects, outside of the rash, are not too different.
Amy on 26-Sep-08 1:43 PM permalink
It's encouraging to see a drug study that targets the disease itself rather than just the symptoms.
Barbara on 26-Sep-08 1:35 PM permalink
Will the new treatment, REALIZE, have the same difficult side effects?
HO on 26-Sep-08 1:23 PM permalink
This sounds like an exciting opportunity which gives non-responders a second chance at getting rid of there Hep C.
Takeeyah on 26-Sep-08 1:02 PM permalink
Great !
Araceli on 26-Sep-08 12:30 PM permalink
Sound exciting!
ELEANOR on 26-Sep-08 10:41 AM permalink
COULD i BECOME PART OF THIS hepatitis C study????
Lacie on 26-Sep-08 8:51 AM permalink
This is an exciting step towards possible effective treatment for those who have had the disappointment of prior treatment not working as desired!
Jeff on 26-Sep-08 7:46 AM permalink
Nice job!!!!