Liver Transplant News and Research

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When a patient presents with end stage liver disease or liver failure he or she may be considered for a liver transplantation. The first step in this is often a rigorous assessment and being placed on a waiting list.

Genetic variants determine severity of HCV-related graft disease and antiviral treatment response

German researchers have found a significant association of IL28B genotypes to interferon-based antiviral treatment outcome, and to graft inflammation caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV). The study determined that the presence of G-allele serves as a marker for severe HCV-induced graft inflammation, as well as a predictor for unsuccessful treatment. Study findings—the largest to report on the role IL28B variants in a transplant cohort with recurrent HCV—are published in the March issue of Liver Transplantation, a journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

2 Mar 2011

European Commission approves BMY's BARACLUDE(r) to treat CHB in adult patients with liver disease

Bristol-Myers Squibb announced today that BARACLUDE(R) has been approved by the European Commission on February 28th 2011 to treat chronic hepatitis B in adult patients with evidence of decompensated liver disease.

1 Mar 2011

New research: Significant number of HCV patients in the U.S. does not have health insurance coverage

New research has determined that patients in the U.S. with hepatitis C virus are twice as likely to not have health insurance coverage compared with those without the disease.

24 Feb 2011

Lack of health insurance limits Hepatitis C patients' access to latest antiviral therapy

New research has determined that patients in the U.S. with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are twice as likely to not have health insurance coverage compared with those without the disease. In fact researchers found only a third of HCV infected Americans have access to antiviral therapy; the remaining are either uninsured or not candidates for therapy due to treatment contraindications. Details of this study are published in the March issue of Hepatology, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD).

24 Feb 2011

Refrigerated whole blood may have shelf life beyond current standard of 24 to 48 hours

In a finding that may potentially improve survival from war injuries and disasters, laboratory researchers report that refrigerated whole blood may have a shelf life well beyond the current standard of 24 to 48 hours.

24 Feb 2011

Doctor explores link between lack of oxygen and inflammation in patients undergoing surgery

When the body is deprived of oxygen during a major surgery, the kidneys, heart muscles or lungs can be injured as a result. The problem is that lack of oxygen can lead to inflammation.

19 Feb 2011

Study on non-surgical approach for treatment of liver hydatidosis

Concerning treatment, until recently the only definitive treatment for hydatid disease had been surgery. Different surgical techniques and procedures have been carried out and even in some cases, a liver transplant has been required. Advances in drug therapy has been influenced by the introduction of albendazole and accelerated by addition of praziquantel, but this requires a long period of treatment i.e. up to a year or more, and is not effective for everyone.

8 Feb 2011

Survival following transplant surgery for liver cancer not impacted by HIV-positive status

French researchers determined that infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) impaired results of transplant surgery for liver cancer, with more HIV infected patients dropping off the transplantation wait list. The team found that overall survival and recurrence-free survival was not impacted following liver transplantation in patients with controlled HIV disease.

25 Jan 2011

New study reports success of growing human liver cells on resorbable scaffolds

A new study reports on the success of growing human liver cells on resorbable scaffolds made from material similar to surgical sutures. Researchers suggest that this liver tissue could be used in place of donor organs during liver transplantation or during the bridge period until a suitable donor is available for patients with acute liver failure.

21 Jan 2011

UMMS begins MBL-HCV1 Phase 2 trial to prevent hepatitis C virus infection in liver transplant patients

Following a successful Phase 1 study for safety, researchers at MassBiologics of the University of Massachusetts Medical School today announced the beginning of a Phase 2 clinical trial testing the ability of a human monoclonal antibody they developed to prevent hepatitis C virus infection of a donor liver in transplant patients.

19 Jan 2011

FDA asks manufacturers to eliminate higher-dose prescription combination acetaminophen products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is asking manufacturers of prescription combination products that contain acetaminophen to limit the amount of acetaminophen to no more than 325 milligrams in each tablet or capsule.

14 Jan 2011

Positive results from LifeCycle Pharma's LCP-Tacro comparative trial in de novo liver transplant patients

LifeCycle Pharma A/S has announced positive top-line results from a Phase 2 clinical trial involving 58 patients comparing LCP-Tacro™ tablets administered once-daily versus Prograf® (tacrolimus) capsules (Astellas Pharma) administered twice-daily in de novo liver transplant patients for one year.

7 Jan 2011

Liver transplant recipients develop PTMS, face high risk of cardiovascular disease

Researchers from Israel have determined that more than half of liver transplant recipients develop post-transplantation metabolic syndrome, placing them at greater risk for cardiovascular disease.

7 Jan 2011

Pro-Pharmaceuticals, Mount Sinai collaborate to evaluate anti-fibrotic effects of Galectin-targeting compounds

Pro-Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the leading developer of Galectin therapeutics to treat cancer and fibrosis, today announced it has entered into a new research collaboration with Mount Sinai School of Medicine to evaluate in pre-clinical models, the anti-fibrotic effects of several of the Company's novel, Galectin-targeting compounds.

21 Dec 2010

New study finds racial, ethnic disparities in cancer treatment

Black people with early stage liver cancer were more likely than white patients to die from their disease, according to a new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

21 Dec 2010

Researchers introduce new class of drugs for HCV patients

To improve the care for individuals infected with the hepatitis C virus, a major health problem and a leading cause of chronic liver disease around the world, nearly 200 international hepatitis experts have taken an important step in escalating the introduction of a new class of targeted therapies for HCV – direct-acting antivirals.

15 Dec 2010

HRSA ranks UCLA's heart transplant program as best in the U.S.

A new survey by an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources has recognized the heart transplant program at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center as the nation's best.

13 Dec 2010

Research shows anti-microbial medications lead to acute liver failure

New research shows that anti-microbial medications are a common cause of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) leading to acute liver failure (ALF), with women and minorities disproportionately affected.

1 Dec 2010

FDA approves Merit's phase 3 clinical trial protocol to treat primary liver cancer with QuadraSphere Microspheres

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Merit Medical Systems, Inc.'s phase 3 clinical trial protocol to treat primary liver cancer with QuadraSphere™ Microspheres (hqTACE) for delivery of doxorubicin. The clinical trial will involve U.S. and international interventional radiologists who treat patients with localized, unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer.

29 Nov 2010

Baylor Health Care System receives $20 million to benefit transplantation initiatives

Baylor Health Care System Foundation announces that Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons have pledged $20 million to benefit transplantation initiatives within Baylor Health Care System. In recognition of this transformational gift, Baylor will rename the institute the Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons Transplant Institute.

29 Nov 2010

Liver Transplant News and Research

Further Reading

Genetic variants determine severity of HCV-related graft disease and antiviral treatment response

European Commission approves BMY's BARACLUDE(r) to treat CHB in adult patients with liver disease

New research: Significant number of HCV patients in the U.S. does not have health insurance coverage

Lack of health insurance limits Hepatitis C patients' access to latest antiviral therapy

Refrigerated whole blood may have shelf life beyond current standard of 24 to 48 hours

Doctor explores link between lack of oxygen and inflammation in patients undergoing surgery

Study on non-surgical approach for treatment of liver hydatidosis

Survival following transplant surgery for liver cancer not impacted by HIV-positive status

New study reports success of growing human liver cells on resorbable scaffolds

UMMS begins MBL-HCV1 Phase 2 trial to prevent hepatitis C virus infection in liver transplant patients

FDA asks manufacturers to eliminate higher-dose prescription combination acetaminophen products

Positive results from LifeCycle Pharma's LCP-Tacro comparative trial in de novo liver transplant patients

Liver transplant recipients develop PTMS, face high risk of cardiovascular disease

Pro-Pharmaceuticals, Mount Sinai collaborate to evaluate anti-fibrotic effects of Galectin-targeting compounds

New study finds racial, ethnic disparities in cancer treatment

Researchers introduce new class of drugs for HCV patients

HRSA ranks UCLA's heart transplant program as best in the U.S.

Research shows anti-microbial medications lead to acute liver failure

FDA approves Merit's phase 3 clinical trial protocol to treat primary liver cancer with QuadraSphere Microspheres

Baylor Health Care System receives $20 million to benefit transplantation initiatives

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