HCV Discovery and Prevention Could Come from the Same Scientist
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Although not yet identified, thousands of people are believed to have contracted the Hepatitis C virus – a potentially fatal liver illness – before 1989. At that time, Dr. Michael Houghton led the research team that finally recognized and isolated the Hepatitis C virus. Despite being capable of severe liver destruction, the complexities of Hepatitis C have precluded scientists from creating an effective, preventative vaccine. However, a recent announcement from Houghton, the same man responsible for discovering the Hepatitis C virus, indicates that his decade-long effort to prevent Hepatitis C is making progress.
The most common types of viral hepatitis are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. Most people recover from Hepatitis A without lasting liver damage. However, Hepatitis B and C can cause chronic liver disease, leading to cirrhosis, liver cancer or liver failure. With chronic liver disease, patients are usually asymptomatic until liver damage has advanced beyond repair.
Hepatitis C is emerging as one of the most concerning public health issues today:
- Worldwide, an estimated 170 million people have the virus.
- At least four million people are infected with Hepatitis C in the U.S.
- According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, one of every 33 baby boomers is living with Hepatitis C.
- In the U.S., Hepatitis C is the leading cause for liver transplants.
- According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, Hepatitis C has surpassed HIV as a cause of mortality in the United States.
- Hepatitis C is the most common blood-borne chronic viral infection.
The scale of this problem is compounded by the fact that most people only discover they are infected with Hepatitis C until they have progressed to advanced liver disease. This is because there are rarely any symptoms until liver damage is advanced.
Unlike Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, there is currently no vaccination to prevent Hepatitis C. Obviously, a Hepatitis C vaccine would be a great victory for preventative medicine. The challenge to developing a Hepatitis C vaccine is multifaceted, likely involving its genetic variations (genotypes) and its ability to mutate easily.
Announced in February 2012 at the Canada Excellence Research Chairs Summit in Vancouver, Dr. Houghton revealed that his team is just five years away from creating a useable vaccine for Hepatitis C. Following previous vaccine tests funded by the National Institutes of Health that yielded promising results, Houghton cited two lingering questions:
- Did the vaccine recipients produce antibodies that could neutralize the actual infectious virus?
- If the recipients could produce neutralizing antibodies, how broad was the response?
According to Houghton, the greatest challenge to an effective Hepatitis C vaccine is finding a single compound capable of neutralizing all of the different viral strains. Using a vaccine developed and tested on humans in his University of Alberta lab, Houghton and his co-investigator John Law discovered that they could use a single strain of the virus to draw out broad, cross-neutralizing antibodies against all the different major strains.
Although seemingly minor, this step wipes out one of the biggest hurdles to developing an effective, preventative Hepatitis C vaccine.
There are still several more years of intensive study needed for Houghton’s finding to transform into an FDA-approved vaccine. Nonetheless, the progress made in this University of Alberta lab could forever change the threat of Hepatitis C – a virus that was first isolated by Dr. Michael Houghton and potentially put to rest by the same man.
References:
http://hepatitis.about.com/od/prevention/a/HCVvaccine.htm, Why is there no vaccine for Hepatitis C?, Charles Daniel, Retrieved March 4, 2012, about.com, 2012.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2105232/Doctor-discovered-hepatitis-C-creates-vaccine-prevent-liver-damaging-disease.html, Doctor who discovered Hepatitis C creates vaccine to prevent liver disease that kills 15,000 a year in the US, Claire Bates, Retrieved March 4, 2012, Associated Newspapers, Ltd., 2012.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/758969 , Hepatitis C Linked to More Deaths than HIV, Yael Waknine, Retrieved March 4, 2012, WebMD, LLC, 2012.
http://www.natap.org/2012/newsUpdates/022312_01.htm, Vaccine Discovered For hep C by Michael Houghton who discovered HCV in 1989, Jamie Hanlon, Retrieved March 4, 2012, University of Alberta, 2012.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=%20The%20long%20and%20winding%20road%20leading%20to%20the%20identification%20of%20the%20hepatitis%20C%20virus, The Long and Winding Road Leading to the Identification of the Hepatitis C Virus, Houghton, M, Retrieved March 4, 2012, Journal of Hepatology, November 2009.
46 Comments
Is liver biopsy still the best practice for diagnosis of liver condition or is ulta sound or some other less invasive method as accurate?
I understand that its the most accurate, I was stage 4 went thru treatment and have many nightmares weekly
The Mayo cliniic has a type of MRI which can detect the amount of damage Hep C has done to your liver. Many doctors do not approve of it. 1. Just think of all those people in the hospital who would be out of a job. 2. Doctors investments would be ruined. 3. The drug companies do not care about how you suffer from their treatments. Doctors scare people into trying these treatment like we are mice. They do not work. They do more harm than good. I could go on. I am sorry for how you will suffering from the treatments along with the hep C for the rest of your life.
I’m sorry you are hurting so badly. Like most treatments which are new and invasive, we may and most will experience discomfort but should strive to overcome for the rewards of life.
I found out a month ago that I am Hep C Positive and when my doctor did all the tests my liver levels are good so that was a blessing. I have been clean 3 years as of Feb 26th I was an IV user and finally quit but now I have this that I must battle…Reading all your posts help, knowing I am not alone in this battle. I am on methadone and my family doctor decided after finding out that I was Hep C pos that he didn’t want me as a patient so I have to find a doctor and start getting the medical help that I need..I am scared and feel somedays that I will just not do it and what happens happens but I want to live a life that was taken for 21 years of addiction..I would like to know how hard is the treatment?
for the first couple of shots easy then your body wants to reject it, as for me I’ve never done any drugs nothing, got a blood transfusion in late 60’s while in service so I don’t know how strong your system is mine is very strong, when you start don’t stop it want be easy I’m 67 and made so can you
Thank you…My immune system isn’y the greatest I am always getting sick and have no energy. I was tested right when I got clean and again like I said because I was getting sick so much. I think my doc probably thought I had HIV because I have had pneumonia a few times but I was negative..I do need to start the treatment and find a doctor asap because regardless of my liver enzymes being ok I still have it and need to do whatever I can to prolong my life and be healthy..I am sorry that you got it through a blood transfusin..Your kind words make me feel ok about this. I am scared because I have heard it’s like Chemo and didn’t want to go through it but I can do it with support from people like you and inspiring words to get you through the tough times:) Thank you….
It happens with doctors. They do not want the risk involved like there isn’t a waiting room full of people with this disease and they do not know it. Until there is universal testing on a cbc we will never know who is infected unless by chance We found Out! That is the great part. We can now change Our lifestyles and make adjustments to our diets and live longer. The treatment failed me or rather the Doctor giving me the treatment failed me ….or it was meant to be. I pray for you to find the right doctor. I have trouble at every doctor I go to because I am infected. Here where I live it’s a crime not a disease. A MD recently told me to stop telling people I infected and this scares me … but it seems to work better than being run out the door with no treatment at all for whatever problem I have. I want to treat again although I just finally got over the nausea I had during and for 2 years after treatment. I can’t even get a referral to the University here where I might could get treated again. Never make a Transplant doctor mad…. He owns this state’s doctors apparently.He should just stick to transplants and leave treating Hep C to the gastro. So be carefull whom you trust to treat you. Make sure it’s a good fit. :O)
You need to find a doctor who can prescribe Subutex and get rid of the opiates altogether. I’m six years clean thanks to it and. Don’t care if I ever stop taking it. I’d rather feel normal and have a good life taking Subutex than go through the pure hell of opiates again.
Tess
Some people do not understand what they are risking and what they may achieve.
Con… I almost died while taking the 2 drug treatment from a bleed I have never before had in my life. I ended up in the hospital ranting from ribirage and wishing I would just die. My treating doctor wouldn’t consult where I was because ” I cannot get paid there!” exact words….like maybe I could have paid him myself??? I was 35% anemic. I needed a procrit shot and an adjustment on dose of meds because I had lost 25 lbs in 1-7 weeks. Instead I got a colonoscopy and thats it. I was nauseous for 2 years during and after my 7 week jouney to hell and back. My teeth are all hollow like now. I stay tired but I presume this is due to the infection itself.
Pro… I never felt so good as I did the week I cleared the virus. I was actually clear when I entered the hospital. Terrified I was infecting every person who touched me. If given the chance I would guinea pig any drug and even retry the ones I did but no doctor will touch me for it since I ribiraged in the hospital but they did not understand I had a 10 year search for the reason I was so sick and upon learning I was infected I immediately went into treatment without knowing what to expect. I almost died but would do it all again. My nausea is finally subsided with daily meds including Carafate all day and aciphex daily and lots of ginger.
Somebody please save me???? I will risk my life to loose this virus…. Hep C type 2 infection since birth most likely.
In my case only the liver biopsy was succesful for determining my need for a liver transplant due to liver cancer.
Ultra sound is the best way to diagnosis the liver .When they want the doc can get a cat scan
I went thru VA for my treatment mostly its up to the person, had high Viral Load, I cut out all fat zero % cut out all sugar and no red meat, then I got a treadmill and walk daily, missed 3 days in 18 months walk 3 miles in hour, if possible get a pet I have a dog Bubba he makes me want to get well, I get sick really sick have bad really bad dreams I want let this get me, mine is from transfusion while in service late 60’s
Unfortunately, Biopsy is still the most accurate, it enables us to examine liver tissue thoroughly. I had one 15 years ago, and it was not painful at all, it required one day rest and observation afterwards.
I first had 4 blood tests, ultrsound then liver biopsy to determine liver condition,genotype, etc for treatment. I had partial blood transfusion in 1961 when my son was born, immediately had bad reaction with hives,etc., After a Red Cross blood drive donation in early nineties, received letter stating I had Hep C antibodies and to consult my Dr. Nothing until 2004 blood test showed elevated enzymes and I then began with everything to begin treatment Jan 2005 until Jan 2006. I was very sick with nasuea, extreme fatigue, itching, depression. Fortunately I was one of the 50% to end up having un-detectable virus.
Yhat is strange that you bring hives into the matter..The whole reason for me going to the doctor that day was because I was getting hives everywhere and maybe that is why he ran the tests..I still get hives and it just happened and I could not stop itching I swear I was like a dog itching like it had fleas…It gets really bad. Now, I have no clue if that is related its just strange.
So many people that I hear have hep c are either A)addicts like me or B) blood transfusion..I am with a guy that still hasn’t gotten tested we have been together 2 years and we have been trying for a baby and I no that he is fearing the worst so he won’t get tested..But they say it has to be blood to blood!!
I am glad to hear the treatment worked for you now with having it un-detecteable are you in the safe zone? That was what my doctor that dropped me meant by it is curiable if the treatment works…..Or was I mistaken. But if so it’s a 50-50 shot!!!!!Thank you so much for all your help!
I am 11 weeks into 48 week programe, am gen 1a, am now anemic with having my haemoglobin levels drop from 137 down to 94, visit hospital next week for new blood test levels, many side effects from treatment.
tywhy
Three years ago I to began a 48 wk program(gen1) Became undetectable after 16wks. I to became severely anemic. There is an injection to increase haemoglobin levels. It does work, but my blood pressure levels remained too low, had to stop treatment after 26wks. Have remained undetectable. The treatment is ghastly, but in my case it did work. Hope you are taking an anti-depressant. Hang in, make sure they test your blood pressure with each medical visit. Good Luck
THANK GOD FOR ALL THOSE MEN AND WOMEN WHO DEDICATE THEIR ENTIRE LIVES TO DISCOVERING TREATMENTS FOR ALL THE DIFFERENT AILMENTS .I FOR ONE, WOULD BE WILLING TO BE SUBJECT TO ANY EXPERIMENTAL TREATMENT THAT COULD POSSIBLY BE USEFUL TO SCIENCE.
There is a new three drug treatment for hep C.Has anyone heard what it is like
No, but it’s only for genotype 1. I have genotype 4 and the doctor won’t give me the new meds.
I am currently being treated with interferon, Incivek (telaprevir), and Ribavirin. Two weeks ago I finished the first leg of treatment which is the Incivek. After 6 weeks the viral load was not detectable. Because I was a re-lapser, I have to undergo a total of 48 weeks of this standard treatment of interferon and Ribavirin again. The therapy was not as hard hitting as the first time. The only real symptom that was hard to handle was the itch that developed right at the end of the first leg of treatment. Antihistamines, Benytral seemed to make itch tolerable. My mind set is if there is no symptoms the drugs aren’t working. Yes you are tired a lot, but the drugs is working. Not as irritable as the first time, but the drug is working . . .
I pray for your recovery!!!
I am going through it right now. 7 weeks in and the side-effects are kicking in with a vengeance1 On the other hand, viral load is undetectable after 4 weeks, and if it remains so after 12, the whole treatment will be only 24 weeks long. My platelets are in the dumpster, but my blood cells are still barely below normal, so I am hoping I won’t develop a severe anemia. Keeping my fingers and toes crossed.
been suffering over 10 years now / really getting worse i go in to be tapped again ! 7 liters of fluid april 9 lord i pray for all who suffer
Holding on to faith and hope most important, try to put a smile on your face, we are with you in the race.
A good news indeed to welcome.
I Have been suffering from HEP C for 30 years. I am a non- responder Genotype1. Within the last 6 months I quit taking the water pills.propanolol, and 10 0r so others.. I feel better, I look better but I do still take theXifaxan550 twice a day to keep the ammonia in my spinal column and brain at bay. That is the only pill that is really helping me function. I can’t hardly walk or get around but I am starting to enjoy life again. Don’t let them medicate you to the point you don;t care. I was once that way. I take a small dose after my morning coffee (1cup) of time release oxycontin and hydroxizine for the itching. My body is covered in small sores but is under control compared to how it was. I tried the peg-intron alpha 2-B with Ribavirin for 7/12 months to no avail except being deathly ill 24 hours per day.This can be fixed….. Keep reading all the new treatments coming out. Good luck everyone!
My wife has been suffering for last 20 years from HCV, only recently diagnosed, but being managed through herbs. She is in good health. If some one can guide for a medicine which can eradicate virus from her body completely I shall be thankful.
Arozivier what herbs is your wife using?
Does anyone else have an overabundance of ammonia that is going to your brain and causing Hepatic Encephalopathy? That was a real problem for me until I started on Xifaxan 550. I could not remember where I was at or drive and I was violent. My Hep doctor found it before I went into a coma because of the brain swelling.. I can think and drive again and I play many trivia games to work my brain. Only problem is that I can hardly walk…. But I can drive!
Somebody save me please. Hep C type 2 currently at 21/2 million load. I need a doctor who will retreat me. At 7 weeks I cleared but ended up at the hospital with the worst ribirage and have just lost the nausea I had from day one of treatment. Any doctor anywhere…. Help? I will try anything to cure this dragon. I will live in a cage and be your lab-rat. I promise I will not complain or at least to try to keep the ribirage to myself. I just got bloodwork showing my lipid panel is fine, Alt and Ast 26 and 25 respectively. I wanna be well again…for the rest of my life….. You may extract a pound of flesh or take my house or car or both.. I will be at your service for the rest of my life… Having OCD I want to get inside my body and scrub it clean with bleach…. since this is the only thing that really kills it as I read. I can’t as bleach exposure is a known carcingen. Any doctor reading????????????????????
I have used a tincture of milk thistle seed for many years now, over 15 even before I knew I had Hep C. My ALT is at bay and has been around 50 for the last ten years. I have all my blood work done every six months or so and it’s normal. I’ve heard in England they use sylimarin or milk thistle intravenously to treat Hep C patients. It’s homeopathic but I swear by it.
Hi my name is Robert I am not a doctor I just have the HORROR myself.My partner researched the subject and found a herbal product that worked for me it revealed the symptoms and made my liver almost normal it seemed to repair my liver an my doctor had me on the transplant list .It is not a complete cure but it helped a lot.the guy is American his name is Lloyd Wright he rites books as well.Try to find him on Google and if you can not find under his name it may be under Alternative Medicine Solutions any way it is worth a try it helped me.I must say I did not do the whole course as the teas were to hard at that time in my life GOOD LUCK Regards. Robert.
This is a scam and the one who posted this is obviously in on it. The book brags about it’s award winning cure. I googled the award, it’s for marketing. He was awarded for taking desperate people to the cleaners. Why else would this post reference the author and the book title but not the herb?
I read all of these comments from everyone and I finally learned that I am not the only person who experienced side effects. I go every month to a hep doctor but I have been infected for 30 years and I have pretty much tried everything with no results. I am on pain meds because my legs hurt so bad. I was on the interferon and ribavirin and within 24 hours I was sick. I stayed on it for 7 1/2 months and it did not help and made everyone of my body systems messed up. It has been 11 years since my treatment and I just gave up to be out of pain. I am 60 years old and was an IV drug user but quit in 2000. I have a great family and caregiver. I hope it is over soon. My doctor keeps telling me to hang on because there is a drug out ther that is waiting for FDA approval that will cure me. I don’t know what to think. So you see it could be worse. God willing, we will all be fine……
This is Mark again. I did not quit in 2000 but 1992. I had the treatment in 2000. Sorry for the confusion.
I just turned 70 – it ain’t over yet…stay in there brother!
Thanks for this response! I’m 49 and was an IV user too. I quit that in 99. However, since then, I injured my back & neck; had surgery and am usually in alot of pain. I take pain meds every day. My doc wants me to think about starting the newer treatment & frankly just don’t know if it’s worth it. I am very close to my siblings, but am single with no children, on disability from said back injuries so I will never work again. The quality of my life sucks regardless…so…quite honestly, I wonder if I should just try to enjoy what is left as comfortable as possible. I obviously still get my load on from my pain meds…gees..in other words, I’m an addict. Can’t or won’t quit, I HATE pain and am in quite a bit of it most of the time. If I do the treatment, I will still have to be on meds, probably forever. Any thoughts?
Thanks so much!
Julie
DJD I got cured of Heb C type 1 after doing a 48wk treatment of Interferon(telaprevir) and Ribaririn. It was the hardest thing in my life to do, I had to work at the same time, and keep myself positive that this was going to work! My Doctor was in another city i drove 60 miles once a month for check-up. I was very sick and i prayed alot and i took care of myself pretty much. If i could do it you can too! I followed all the rules under the medication guides lines. I well keep all HEP C infested Men and Women and children in my prayers!
Great to hear and thanks for sharing,,What about milk thistle?
I’ve taken milk thistle now for over 15 years, years before I was aware of the fact I had Hep C. It’s kept my ALT down in the 50 range and helped my sister immensely. All I can. Say is it works.
On week 12…went anemic and needed blood transfers – a week in the hospital and I’m out, took interferon shot 12 today…yeah it’s an impossible treatment but worth taking to see my grand kids…keep the faith all you now in the trenches like me – there is an end in sight and that end is cured!
it is pleasuable for me to hear this good news
and i ask the Cod to help you in this
That is amazing news. I have Hep C, type 1 and Interferon and Ribaririn did not work for me, so it is great to hear advances are being made in dealing with Hep.
I have had hcv approx 37 yrs which led to livsr cancer. Fortuneatley I am cured of cancer. Just started mistletoe injections for hcv. Every 3 days for two years. This works so well Johns Hopkins Hospital is starting a clinicaltrial soon. I am seeing Dr. Peter Hindenberger at Ruscombe Health Center in Baltimore. I would try a Google search for a Natural Medicine Dr. in your area that uses mistletoe therapy. By the way, it works for cancer, hcv, hiv, asthma, and several other medical problems that elude me at the moment. God bless and take it apon yourself to get well.