Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) disease burden and cost in the United States

Homie Razavi, Antoine C. ElKhoury, Elamin Elbasha, Chris Estes, Ken Pasini, Thierry Poynard, Ritesh Kumar – 22 December 2012 – Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver transplantation. A better understanding of HCV disease progression and the associated cost can help the medical community manage HCV and develop treatment strategies in light of the emergence of several potent anti‐HCV therapies. A system dynamic model with 36 cohorts was used to provide maximum flexibility and improved forecasting.

Comparative effectiveness of two doses versus three doses of hepatitis A vaccine in human immunodeficiency virus–infected and ‐uninfected men who have sex with men

Yu‐Tzu Tseng, Sui‐Yuan Chang, Wen‐Chun Liu, Hsin‐Yun Sun, Cheng‐Hsin Wu, Pei‐Ying Wu, Ching‐Lan Lu, Chien‐Ching Hung, Shan‐Chwen Chang – 19 December 2012 – The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to compare the serologic response between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected men who have sex with men (MSM) receiving two and three doses of hepatitis A virus (HAV) vaccine and HIV‐uninfected MSM receiving two doses of HAV vaccine. Between June 2009 and December 2010, 582 MSM aged 18 to 40 years who were seronegative for HAV were enrolled in the study.

Hepatic lentiviral gene transfer is associated with clonal selection, but not with tumor formation in serially transplanted rodents

Ina Rittelmeyer, Michael Rothe, Martijn H. Brugman, Marcus Iken, Axel Schambach, Michael P. Manns, Christopher Baum, Ute Modlich, Michael Ott – 19 December 2012 – Lentiviral (LV) vectors are promising tools for long‐term genetic correction of hereditary diseases. In hematopoietic stem cell gene therapies adverse events in patients due to vector integration‐associated genotoxicity have been observed. Only a few studies have explored the potential risks of LV gene therapy targeting the liver.

Association of γ‐glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity with treatment and clinical outcomes in chronic hepatitis C (HCV)

James E. Everhart, Elizabeth C. Wright – 19 December 2012 – Increased γ‐glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity is associated with liver injury and with mortality in the general population. Less is known about its association with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) outcomes. We examined GGT as a predictor of both virological response to treatment and long‐term clinical outcomes in the Hepatitis C Anti‐viral Treatment Against Cirrhosis Trial (HALT‐C).

High lipophilicity and high daily dose of oral medications are associated with significant risk for drug‐induced liver injury

Minjun Chen, Jürgen Borlak, Weida Tong – 19 December 2012 – Drug‐induced liver injury (DILI) is a leading cause of drug failure in clinical trials and a major reason for drug withdrawals from the market. Although there is evidence that dosages of ≥100 mg/day are associated with increased risk for hepatotoxicity, many drugs are safe at such dosages. There is an unmet need to predict risk for DILI more reliably, and lipophilicity might be a contributing factor.

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