Schering-Plough Highlights Hepatitis C Presentations at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases Meeting

KENILWORTH, N.J. -- More than 50 data presentations involving Schering-Plough's hepatitis products, including PEG- INTRON® (peginterferon alfa-2b) and REBETOL® (ribavirin, USP) combination therapy, will be presented by leading researchers at the 57th American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) Annual Meeting in Boston, Oct. 27-31, 2006.

Among the key presentations will be data from the EPIC3 (Evaluation of PEG-INTRON in Control of Hepatitis C Cirrhosis) study, a large, prospective, controlled clinical trial designed to assess the safety and efficacy of PEG- INTRON and REBETOL in retreating patients who failed previous alpha interferon and ribavirin combination therapies, including peginterferon-based combination therapies.

Investigators for WIN-R (Weight-Based Dosing of PEG-INTRON and REBETOL), the largest community-based clinical study in hepatitis C ever conducted in the United States, will present results in patient populations traditionally considered hard to treat, including elderly patients and Hispanic patients.

Hepatitis C is the most common blood-borne infection in America and the most common form of liver disease, affecting nearly 5 million people in the United States and 200 million people worldwide. For program information, please visit the American Association of Liver Disease Web site at www.aasld.org.

Key Presentations
HCV RNA Negativity After 12 Weeks of Therapy is the Best Predictor of Sustained Viral Response (SVR) in the Re-Treatment of Previous Interferon- alpha/Ribavirin Non-Responders (NR): Results from the EPIC3 Program; T. Poynard et al., Poster Presentation, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 8:00 am-12:30 pm, Exhibit Hall C

Peginterferon Alfa-2b and Ribavirin are Equally Efficacious and Well Tolerated in Patients greater than 65 Years Old in Comparison to Other Age Groups: Subanalysis of a Randomized, Controlled Study (WIN-R Trial); S. Flamm et al., Poster Presentation, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2:00-8:00 pm, Exhibit Hall C

Prospective Analysis of Sustained Virologic Response (SVR) to Peginterferon Alfa-2b and Ribavirin Treatment in Asian and Hispanic Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C: Results from the WIN-R Trial; B. Freilich et al., Poster Presentation, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2:00-8:00 pm, Exhibit Hall C

Response to Peginterferon Alfa-2b and Ribavirin for Chronic Hepatitis C in Patients with Body Weight greater than 125 kg: Results from the WIN-R Trial; I. Jacobson et al., Poster Presentation, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2:00-8:00 pm, Exhibit Hall C

Risk Factors for Relapse in Genotype 3 High Viral Load Patients with Hepatitis C in the WIN-R Trial; R. Brown et al., Poster Presentation, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 8:00 am-12:30 pm, Exhibit Hall C

Peginterferon Alfa-2b plus Ribavirin in Patients with Genotype 1 Chronic Hepatitis C with a Slow Virologic Response: An Early Enrollers Analysis of the SUCCESS (Study to Assess Treatment with PEG-INTRON and REBETOL in Naive Patients with Genotype 1 Chronic Hepatitis C and Slow Virological Response) Study; M. Buti et al., Poster Presentation, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2:00-8:00 pm, Exhibit Hall C

An Interim Analysis of the Canadian POWeR Program (Peginterferon Alfa-2b Prospective Optimal Weight-Based Dosing Response): Consistent SVR Rates Across All Weight Categories; P. Marotta et al., Poster Presentation, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2:00-8:00 pm, Exhibit Hall C

Schering-Plough Sponsored CME Symposium
"HCV Management Today and Tomorrow" -- Monday, Oct. 30, beginning at 6:30 p.m., Sheraton Boston Hotel, Back Bay Ballroom, 39 Dalton Street, Boston.

Source: Schering-Plough

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