ANSWER TO QUESTION OF THE WEEK: (11/20/05)

1. Current estimate of number of people in the United States who have been infected with hepatitis C has now increased to 5 million from the previous statistic of 4 million.

2. Cannabinoids block the action of interferon on hepatitis C viral replication. Therefore, people who smoke marijuana may have a decreased chance of viral eradication and cure.

3. SCH 503034 an orally administered HCV protease inhibitor manufactured by Schering Plough shows significant viral suppression in people who previously did not respond to pegylated interferon.

4. VX-950 an orally administed protease inhibitor manufactured by Vertex Pharmaceuticals demonstrates potent antiviral activity with all patients tested demonstrating a 2-log drop of viral load within 14 days of administration.

5. Valopicitabine (NM 283) a nucleoside analog manufactured by Idenix pharmaceuticals demonstrates potent antiviral activity both alone and when combined with peginterferon in both treatment naive and in genotype 1 nonresponders to previous pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy.

6. Cirrhosis appears to be more common in Hispanics than in Caucasions or African-Americans. This appears to be related to the higher incidence of fatty livers and diabetes in the Hispanic population. Thus, weight loss, a healthy low-fat diet and an exercise regimen should be urged for all people -but especially for Hispanics

Dr. Palmer is an internationally renowned hepatologist who has been practicing medicine since 1985. Prior to 2012, she maintained perhaps the largest medical practice devoted to liver disease in the United States. Dr. Palmer is Clinical Professor of Medicine at New York University Medical Center. Dr. Palmer graduated from Columbia University with a B.A. and was trained in hepatology (as well as medical school) at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.

Dr. Palmer is Board Certified in Gastroenterology and in Internal Medicine.

She has authored numerous scientific publications in the field of hepatology in such peer-reviewed journals as Hepatology, Gastroenterology, Seminars of Liver Disease, Transplantation and Archives of Internal Medicine.

She is frequently called upon by the media for her opinion on various topics related to liver disease. Dr. Palmer has appeared many times on television as a liver disease expert and has been quoted in such publications as TIME magazine, Cosmopolitan magazine, Prevention magazine, the Los Angeles Times, and Newsday. She also has appeared in numerous videos and CD-Roms aimed at educating doctors and the public about hepatitis C and other liver diseases, such as primary biliary cirrhosis. Dr. Palmer lectures to the medical and general public on liver disease-related topics on a regular basis.

Dr. Palmer has performed numerous clinical trials on various experimental medications for the treatment of hepatitis.

Dr. Palmer is currently available for lecturing, investor and hedge-fund consultations, consultations to industry, and media interviews and appearances-- including television. For such matters, she can be contacted through hepatitismedia@gmail.com.

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