Abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health problem around the world and it is estimated that there are about 200 million infections globally. The majority of HCV infected patients develop chronic infection, which can progress to liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver failure. Since the discovery of the virus in 1989, impressive progress has been made in the treatment of HCV hepatitis. However, the actual standard of care in treating HCV infection, represented by the combination therapy of pegylated interferon alpha 2a or 2b with ribavirin, fails to cure near half of treated patients. This paper aimed to trace a brief overview of the progress made by interferon-based treatments for HCV hepatitis since their introduction in the early 1990s, and to highlight the results of recent clinical studies concerning new and emerging drugs. ... Read more

Abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects about 2% of the world population or approximately 123 million people. The disease causes a significant level of morbidity and mortality among those afflicted. The combination of interferon and ribavirin is effective in many patients. However, the right treatment doses and duration, among other attributes, have a large impact on the treatment outcome. ... Read more

Abstract: Liver cancer is among the most common malignancies, impacting significantly across all societies worldwide. The lethal impact of this prevalent cancer is unlikely to change considerably in the near future due to a limited understanding of disease pathogenesis on the molecular, cellular, and environmental levels and how current knowledge might be converted into new preventive, therapeutic and diagnostic approaches. This article highlights the current challenges and opportunities in this critical area of unmet need. ... Read more

Abstract: Stress influences the neuroendocrine dynamics and increases the release of glucocorticoids and catecholamines (such as norepinephrine and epinephrine). These hormones suppress the immune system. Stress doesn't by itself cause cancer. However it can alter the cancer cell growth dynamics in cancer's favor. ... Read more

Abstract: 350 million people worldwide carry the hepatitis B virus and 170 million the hepatitis C virus. There has been encouraging progress in recent years in the management of both infections. The combination of pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin is perhaps the most effective treatment today. ... Read more

The US FDA approved Roche’s Pegasys for hepatitis C viral infection (HCV) on October 16th and an FDA panel recommended approval of the company’s other anti-HCV drug Copegus on November 14, 2002.

HCV infects about 4 million people in the US (2.7 million chronically), 4 million in Europe, 2 million in Japan, and numerous people in the rest of the world. Only 200,000 patients are currently under treatment. The number of new infections per year has declined from an average of 240,000 in the 1980s to about 25,000 in 2001. Treatment can eradicate the virus. Without treatment, about 70% of the ... Read more