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本帖最后由 StephenW 于 2012-5-25 23:08 编辑
UP to 200,000 Australians with chronic hepatitis C could be cured, or healthier, if a vaccine to be tested on Melbourne patients is effective.
The Burnet Institute and The Alfred hospital trial will involve extracting the patient's own cells, which will be strengthened and combined with hep C components. The mixture will be injected back into the patients.
"What we are trying with our novel vaccine is to harness the patient's own immune responses so that it tips the balance so they are either healthier or they are cured," Burnet Institute Assoc Prof Bruce Loveland explained.
The vaccine will not prevent hep C, but will be used to cure or lessen its side effects.
Hepatitis C is a virus, commonly contracted by drug users, and causes inflammation of the liver.
A quarter of people who develop the virus will clear it naturally within the first 12 months, but the remaining 75 per cent will develop chronic hepatitis and have it for the rest of their lives.
Hepatitis C educator Piergiorgio Moro said current treatment could be taxing, lasting up to 48 weeks, with serious side effects. It does not work on everyone. Patients suitable for the trial are those with hep C genotype 1 who have failed conventional treatments.
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发表于 2012-5-25 23:07