The obvious question is why only 50% of cirrhotics get some resolution?
My head spins trying to follow the research into the various antifibrotics and the various pathways changing fibroblasts into macrophages. There's almost certainly a gene behind it all. It makes sense that thick fibrous scars won't be completely resorbed . However, the decrease in HCC percentage after SVR is the main thing for me. Cheers.
suziq said
Jul 22, 2014
Hi Isis,
Now that the new meds will bring SVR to many, the next focus will be the reversing of the damage.
Thanks for the article--I simply skimmed it as it was really a bit above my understanding. At my trial center, clinical trials are ongoing for reversing liver damage for those with fatty liver disease. I am hopeful that, if they are successful, they will extend to Hep C patients--with and without SVR. It has been a long wait for those who would not or could not take interferon. I was a "would not". Whether supplements will reverse liver damage --I don't know. I do know some who have reversed their damage with supplements. I progressed to early cirrhosis ,even though I used supplements. Who knows if it would have been more severe without supplements?? Clinical trials on items that cannot be patented would not be cost effective.
New and better ways to assess the damage may give us more information. At least, the liver and the diseases that affect it are coming of age.
SuziQ
Marypetrecz said
Jul 22, 2014
I couldn't pull up the article but I'm so happy you posted it. I've had questions about it. Being an art and ancient history fan......I've always wondered how the ancients knew the liver regenerated....,.as in with prometheus......and his punishment....ive stared at that painting for hours trying to figure out how they knew....????! And this was in the 70 s before we even knew about hepc.....
Thanks for bringing this article and positive thought to the forum, its the kind of forward thinking that helps us all to have a reason to believe in our own futures.
matt
Isiscat2011 said
Jul 21, 2014
This is a rather long article but the conclusion reached is that with treatment of the underlying disease (hepc) even a cirrhotic liver can repair itself. Below are a couple of excerpts. The URL to the complete text is at the very bottom of the page.
Review Article: The Reversibility of Cirrhosis
'The concept of cirrhosis has changed from being a form of static and irreversible entity to a dynamic and reversible diseases stage.'....
"In clinical circumstances where an effective treatment for the underlying insult is available, remodelling of the scar tissue can occur and a return towards architectural normality has been documented even in advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis.
The obvious question is why only 50% of cirrhotics get some resolution?
My head spins trying to follow the research into the various antifibrotics and the various pathways changing fibroblasts into macrophages. There's almost certainly a gene behind it all. It makes sense that thick fibrous scars won't be completely resorbed . However, the decrease in HCC percentage after SVR is the main thing for me. Cheers.
Hi Isis,
Now that the new meds will bring SVR to many, the next focus will be the reversing of the damage.
Thanks for the article--I simply skimmed it as it was really a bit above my understanding. At my trial center, clinical trials are ongoing for reversing liver damage for those with fatty liver disease. I am hopeful that, if they are successful, they will extend to Hep C patients--with and without SVR. It has been a long wait for those who would not or could not take interferon. I was a "would not". Whether supplements will reverse liver damage --I don't know. I do know some who have reversed their damage with supplements. I progressed to early cirrhosis ,even though I used supplements. Who knows if it would have been more severe without supplements?? Clinical trials on items that cannot be patented would not be cost effective.
New and better ways to assess the damage may give us more information. At least, the liver and the diseases that affect it are coming of age.
SuziQ
I couldn't pull up the article but I'm so happy you posted it. I've had questions about it. Being an art and ancient history fan......I've always wondered how the ancients knew the liver regenerated....,.as in with prometheus......and his punishment....ive stared at that painting for hours trying to figure out how they knew....????! And this was in the 70 s before we even knew about hepc.....
Hey Isis
Thanks for bringing this article and positive thought to the forum, its the kind of forward thinking that helps us all to have a reason to believe in our own futures.
matt
This is a rather long article but the conclusion reached is that with treatment of the underlying disease (hepc) even a cirrhotic liver can repair itself. Below are a couple of excerpts. The URL to the complete text is at the very bottom of the page.
Review Article: The Reversibility of Cirrhosis
'The concept of cirrhosis has changed from being a form of static and irreversible entity to a dynamic and reversible diseases stage.'....
"In clinical circumstances where an effective treatment for the underlying insult is available, remodelling of the scar tissue can occur and a return towards architectural normality has been documented even in advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/772507_1