|
|
|
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. She maintains perhaps the largest private medical practice devoted to liver disease in the United States. 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. 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. She also serves as a liver consultant to five major pharmaceutical companies.
Dr. Palmer is a board member of the New York chapter of the American Liver Foundation, and she sits on the nutrition subcommittee of the national chapter of the American Liver Foundation, the medical advisory board of the Latino Organization for Liver Awareness (LOLA) and the medical advisory board of the Primary Biliary Cirrhosis Organization (PBCers). She has also been a member of the practice guidelines committee of the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease(AASLD) and currently sits on the enduring educational materials committee of AASLD.
Dr. Palmer has performed trials on various experimental medication for the treatment of hepatitis. She is currently conducting research on new therapies for liver disease, specifically in the area of hepatitis C.
Her practice is located on Long Island, New York. (Main office located at: 1097 Old Country Road, Suite 104, Plainview, N.Y. 11803.
Satellite office located at 500 Portion Rd. Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y. 11779)
Click on my picture to buy my book!
If you are interested in arranging an appointment with Melissa Palmer, M.D., please call (516) 939-2626.
Return to liverdisease.com home page