Onabot is not a cure for migraine In fact, in the trials leading

Onabot is not a cure for migraine. In fact, in the trials leading to its approval, there were only about 2 fewer headache days per month in those who received it compared with those who received placebo, although the number of hours of headache per month was decreased by about 1/3. However, people who had received onabot in the studies were found to be better able to function RAD001 concentration and perform their usual activities even when they did have headache. The 2 clinical trials that led to FDA approval used a standardized set of injections called the

PHASE III Research Evaluating Migraine Prophylaxis Therapy (PREEMPT) protocol. With this protocol, developed and tested extensively, 31 small injections of 5 units each are placed at prescribed locations over the forehead, sides of the head, and back of the head and neck. The injections INCB024360 mw are just under the skin, creating a small bubble or wheal at the site that is usually not visible beyond a few hours. The PREEMPT injection sites are illustrated in the Figure. The amount of medicine approved by the FDA for chronic migraine prevention, and administered in the PREEMPT protocol, is 155 units. However, onabot only comes in vials of 100 or 200 units. Rather

than throw out the remaining 45 units in the bottle, many practitioners will offer to administer the remainder in areas in which patients particularly have pain. This find more additional treatment strategy is called “follow the pain,” and it was also

used by many of the PREEMPT testing sites before FDA approval. Unfortunately, although “follow the pain” injections are frequently administered, it is not fully established whether they provide additional benefit. The PREEMPT protocol for onabot injections is the only FDA-approved injection pattern for chronic migraine, and practitioners are specially trained in its administration. Although cosmetic onabot is chemically identical to that used for chronic migraine, the amounts and locations tested and approved for headache treatment are very different from that used for other indications. Onabot in general is well tolerated and usually is without systemic side effects. However, about 9% of people report neck pain, 5% headaches, and 4% may have a temporary drooping of the eyelid called ptosis. About 3% will experience muscle pains, and 2% will have some facial muscle paralysis, eyebrow elevation, or muscle spasms. All of these are temporary should they occur. Patients typically notice they cannot wrinkle their forehead after onabot injections, and when they resume being able to do this, it can be a sign that the drug is wearing off. The effectiveness of onabot tapers off at 3 months, sometimes sooner. If there are side effects, they typically are much shorter in duration than the 3 months of effect on headache.

1-3 Knowledge of the oncogenic processes and the signaling pathwa

1-3 Knowledge of the oncogenic processes and the signaling pathways regulating HCC cell proliferation, survival, invasion, and metastasis has led to the development of targeted therapies with positive results, as exemplified by the multitarget inhibitor, sorafenib.2 However, notwithstanding the survival

benefits of sorafenib, there is still room for improvement, and current research is aiming to combine molecular therapies. To this end, increasing knowledge on the signaling pathways critical for HCC progression is of crucial importance. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a cysteine-rich secreted protein that interacts with a variety RO4929097 ic50 of extracellular matrix components and cell-surface proteins, such as fibronectin, proteoglycans, and integrins, strongly influencing cellular behavior.4 CTGF participates in many biological processes, including cell proliferation, survival, migration, angiogenesis, wound healing, and cancer development.4-6 In the liver, CTGF has been recognized as a key profibrogenic factor, its expression is increased in fibrotic human and rat liver, and the manipulation of CTGF levels in experimental CB-839 cell line fibrosis modulates the course of the disease.6 More recently, CTGF expression was reported

to be elevated in HCC tissues, and HCC patients with high serum CTGF levels show reduced survival, attesting to the potential relevance of CTGF in HCC progression.7, 8 Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is

regarded as the major inducer of CTGF expression, and evidence suggests that CTGF, indeed, mediates many of the pathological effects of TGF-β in liver disease, including fibrosis development and HCC progression.4, 9 In view of all selleck products this, the understanding of CTGF regulation and biological effects in liver cancer cells would be important for the characterization of this factor as a molecular target in HCC. Previously, we demonstrated that CTGF expression in experimental liver fibrosis was affected by the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligand, amphiregulin (AR), and that AR directly promoted CTGF expression in human and mouse fibrogenic cells.10 Signaling through the EGFR is regarded as an important mechanism in hepatocarcinogenesis and as a target for molecular therapies.2, 3, 11 Here, we demonstrate that CTGF expression in HCC cells participates in cell proliferation, survival, and inflammatory gene expression and is regulated by EGFR activation in a novel cross-talk with the oncogenic transcriptional coactivator, Yes-associated protein (YAP).

001] and displayed higher AFP levels at

001] and displayed higher AFP levels at find more the time of listing [median AFP level: 16 (range = 3-7154 μg/L) versus 13 μg/L (range = 1-552 μg/L), P = 0.04]. There was no other significant difference between the two groups at listing. Four HIV+ patients (19%) and 17 HIV− patients (26%) were

listed outside the Milan criteria (P = 0.50). Two of the 21 HIV+ patients (9%) and 10 of the 65 HIV− patients (15%) were listed outside the UCSF criteria (P = 0.42). TACE was performed in 13 of 21 HIV+ patients (61%) and in 38 of 65 HIV− patients (58%; P = 0.83). The mean number of courses did not differ significantly between HIV+ and HIV− patients [1 (range = 1-4) versus 1 (range = 1-3), P = 0.70]. After TACE, an RF procedure was performed in 8 of 21 HIV+ patients (38%) and in 15 of 65 HIV− patients (23%; P = 0.18). A trend toward a higher dropout

rate was observed among HIV+ listed patients versus HIV− listed patients [5/21 (23%) versus 7/65 (10%), P = 0.08]. The times to dropout from listing were similar in the two groups [median time: 6 months (range = 1-14 months) in HIV+ patients and 6.5 months (range = 3-11 months) in HIV− patients, P = 0.92]. Among HIV+ patients, AFP levels at listing were significantly higher in those Ferrostatin-1 datasheet who dropped out versus those who received a transplant [median AFP level: 98 (range = 3-7154 μg/L) versus 12 μg/L (range = 3-934 μg/L), P = 0.03]. This difference was not observed in HIV− patients [median

AFP level: 18 (range = 8-60 μg/L) versus 13 μg/L (range = 1-552 μg/L), check details P = 0.99]. No other differences were detected at listing. For patients on the waiting list, a monthly rise in AFP levels to >15 μg/L was reported to have poor prognostic value21 and was found in 4 of 5 HIV+ patients (80%) who dropped out and in 4 of 11 HIV+ patients (36%) who underwent transplantation (P = 0.03). Only one patient (without AFP progression) on the waiting list dropped out because of progression from controlled HIV infection to AIDS. Among HIV− patients, AFP progression > 15 μg/L per month was present in 4 of 6 patients (67%) who dropped out and in 12 of 52 patients (23%) who underwent transplantation (P = 0.02). In univariate analysis, except for AFP progression > 15 μg/L per month, no factor was predictive of patient dropout on the waiting list. By the last follow-up consultation (in January 2010), 16 HIV+ patients and 58 HIV− patients had undergone transplantation. Seventy-four of the 86 listed patients (86%) received a transplant (16 HIV+ patients and 58 HIV− patients). HIV+ transplant patients were younger than HIV− patients [median age: 50 (range = 43-63 years) versus 58 years (range = 37-72 years), P< 0.002], but preoperatively, there were no other differences between the HIV+ and HIV− patients, particularly with respect to AFP levels [median AFP level: 11.5 (range = 3-934 μg/L) versus 13 μg/L (range = 1-552 μg/L), P = 0.73].

According to the Canadian escalating model, the dose and frequenc

According to the Canadian escalating model, the dose and frequency of administration can be adapted to individual demands. More recent publications describe the prevention of inhibitors attributed to early prophylaxis. These reports have led to the clinical practice PD-0332991 in vitro to start prophylaxis very early. The German model, in particular, recommends low dose and low frequency prophylaxis to be started before the first bleed in order to avoid factor VIII (FVIII)

administration in an acute bleeding situation with an upregulated immune system in the context with so called “danger signals”. This strategy, however, is yet to be proven. In addition, the high costs of prophylaxis, difficult venous access in young children and the knowledge that more than 10% of severe haemophilia patients possess

a milder phenotype have been barriers for the initiation of early prophylaxis. The development of an inhibitor against FVIII/FIX represents the most serious complication in the treatment of a Ivacaftor research buy haemophilic patient. An incidence of around 30% in previously untreated patients (PUPs) with severe haemophilia has been described. The development of neutralizing antibodies directed against FVIII, which usually occurs during the initial phase of FVIII exposure (first 50 exposure days [EDs]), is carried out by a complex immune response in which both genetic (FVIII gene mutation, ethnicity, HLA type, immunogenotype) and environmental factors (age of start of treatment, intensity of the treatment and administration mode, type of factor concentrate) are involved. Since the introduction of recombinant FVIII (rFVIII) concentrates, the influence of the type of factor on inhibitor development has been intensely debated. Two possible explanations have been considered in order to explain the rather low inhibitor formation with the use of plasma-derived concentrates (pdFVIII): an immunomodulatory effect by cytokines and the presence of von Willebrand factor. However, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of numerous studies on development of inhibitors in PUPs could not show convincing evidence selleck inhibitor in favour of any of the product

types. The results of randomized, prospective trials are necessary to resolve the debate. The identification of the factors with an impact on inhibitor development, particularly treatment related ones, can offer clues to design prevention strategies. In 2003, a North American and European consensus meeting about haemophilia stipulated that primary prophylaxis should be started before age 2 years, before any clinically evident joint bleeding, and before the onset of joint damage [1]. However, precisely when joint damage begins is unclear, and the following factors complicate the clinical picture: not all patients with haemophilia develop arthropathy [2], only a few joint bleeds may cause damage [3], and the number of clinical haemarthroses correlates only weakly with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes [4].

According to the Canadian escalating model, the dose and frequenc

According to the Canadian escalating model, the dose and frequency of administration can be adapted to individual demands. More recent publications describe the prevention of inhibitors attributed to early prophylaxis. These reports have led to the clinical practice GSI-IX cost to start prophylaxis very early. The German model, in particular, recommends low dose and low frequency prophylaxis to be started before the first bleed in order to avoid factor VIII (FVIII)

administration in an acute bleeding situation with an upregulated immune system in the context with so called “danger signals”. This strategy, however, is yet to be proven. In addition, the high costs of prophylaxis, difficult venous access in young children and the knowledge that more than 10% of severe haemophilia patients possess

a milder phenotype have been barriers for the initiation of early prophylaxis. The development of an inhibitor against FVIII/FIX represents the most serious complication in the treatment of a Regorafenib haemophilic patient. An incidence of around 30% in previously untreated patients (PUPs) with severe haemophilia has been described. The development of neutralizing antibodies directed against FVIII, which usually occurs during the initial phase of FVIII exposure (first 50 exposure days [EDs]), is carried out by a complex immune response in which both genetic (FVIII gene mutation, ethnicity, HLA type, immunogenotype) and environmental factors (age of start of treatment, intensity of the treatment and administration mode, type of factor concentrate) are involved. Since the introduction of recombinant FVIII (rFVIII) concentrates, the influence of the type of factor on inhibitor development has been intensely debated. Two possible explanations have been considered in order to explain the rather low inhibitor formation with the use of plasma-derived concentrates (pdFVIII): an immunomodulatory effect by cytokines and the presence of von Willebrand factor. However, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of numerous studies on development of inhibitors in PUPs could not show convincing evidence selleck kinase inhibitor in favour of any of the product

types. The results of randomized, prospective trials are necessary to resolve the debate. The identification of the factors with an impact on inhibitor development, particularly treatment related ones, can offer clues to design prevention strategies. In 2003, a North American and European consensus meeting about haemophilia stipulated that primary prophylaxis should be started before age 2 years, before any clinically evident joint bleeding, and before the onset of joint damage [1]. However, precisely when joint damage begins is unclear, and the following factors complicate the clinical picture: not all patients with haemophilia develop arthropathy [2], only a few joint bleeds may cause damage [3], and the number of clinical haemarthroses correlates only weakly with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes [4].

Liver-specific Phb1 KO mouse (C57BL/6J) was developed by serial b

Liver-specific Phb1 KO mouse (C57BL/6J) was developed by serial breeding of Phb1loxP/loxP and Albumin-Cre+/+(Alb-Cre+/+) mice as shown in Supporting Fig. 1 and described in detail in Supporting Methods. All experiments were reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

at the University of Southern California. Mice aged between 3 and 46 weeks were used for the experiments. Please see Supporting Methods for details of specimen handling. Isolated hepatocytes were obtained by the Cell Culture Core of the USC Research Center for Liver Diseases as described.14 A normal mouse hepatocyte cell line, AML12, was purchased from American Type Culture Collection (ATCC, Manassas, VA), whereas HepG2 and Huh-7 cells were provided by the Cell Culture Core and cultured in recommended media see more in a humidified incubator at 37°C and CO2 at 5%. Cells with passage number <18 were used for the experiments. Primary human hepatocytes were obtained from CellzDirect (Pittsboro, NC). Cells were washed with phosphate-buffered selleck chemicals llc saline three times and protein was extracted for western

blot analysis as described below. The predesigned small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting mouse Phb1 (sense sequence: AGAGCGAGCGGCAACAUUUtt or AGAAACCAAUUAUCUUUGAtt) and negative control siRNA were purchased from Ambion (Austin, TX). AML12 and Huh-7 cells in six-well plates (0.2 × 106 cells/well); the cells were transfected using RNAiMax (5 μL/well) from Invitrogen (Carlsbad, CA) with PHB1 siRNA (12 nM) or negative control siRNA for 18 hours (AML12) and 48 hours (Huh-7) for mRNA or protein expression or 24 hours (AML12) and 48 hours (Huh-7) for proliferation or apoptosis assays, following the manufacturer’s manual. Phb1 overexpression vector (PHB1-pcDNA3.1) and negative

control empty vector were kindly provided by Dr. Mehta (Illinois Institute of Technology Research Institute, Chicago, IL). Transient transfection was done using 3 μL of Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) and 1.4 μg of target plasmid per well of six-well plates. After 4 hours, the transfection medium was changed to normal medium and cells were cultured for an additional 44 hours for mRNA, protein expression, proliferation, or apoptosis assays. Genomic DNA for genotyping was isolated from hepatocytes and various organs by the method selleck kinase inhibitor of Strauss.15 Total RNA was isolated from livers, AML12, and Huh-7 cells using Trizol reagent (Invitrogen) and then purified by total RNA isolation kit (Bioland Scientific LLC, Cerritos, CA) following the manufacturer’s manuals. Genotyping was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and is described in detail in Supporting Methods. Northern blot analysis, autoradiography and densitometry were done as described.12 The specific probes for mouse Phb1 exon 2 and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (Gapdh) were designed to correspond to published mRNA sequences from +52 to +154 (Phb1, NM_008831.

8 Median procedure time, min 57 ± 42   Histology type     Low gra

8 Median procedure time, min 57 ± 42   Histology type     Low grade intraepithelial neoplasm (LGIN) 108 Selleck Akt inhibitor 50.2 High grade intraepithelial neoplasm (HGIN) 68 31.6 ECG depth of invasion     Mucosa (M) 29 13.5 Submucosa (SM) 10 4.7 Complication     bleeding 3 1.4 perferation 0 0 recurrence 6 3.0 Presenting Author: WEN LI Additional Authors: ZIKAI WANG, YUNSHENG WANG, XIULI ZHANG, QURRATULAIN HYDER, GANG SUN, LILI WU, PING TANG Corresponding Author: WEN LI Affiliations: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chinese PLA General Hospital Objective: It remains unclear whether a small-sized endoscope

is superior to a big one for natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES); and it is controversial whether NOTES is in general less invasive than laparoscopy. This study was designed to evaluate the reliability, efficacy and systematic impact of two different sized endoscopes for NOTES peritoneoscopy as compared to conventional laparoscopy. Methods: Fifteen dogs were randomly assigned to 3 groups, small-sized endoscope (SS) group, big-sized endoscope (BS) group and standard laparoscopy (SL) group. All animals underwent peritoneoscopy. Blood samples were collected

at 1 h preoperatively and 1 h, 12 h, 2 d, 7 d postoperatively. Serum TNF-α and IL-6, and peripheral white blood cell (WBC) counts were analyzed. Body weight, operation time, closing time of the gastrostomy, histopathologic examination of the gastric incision, visualization scores of the abdominal organs and complications were also recorded. Results: Peritoneoscopies were successfully performed by both NOTES and laparoscopic route. Less time was spent to complete Palbociclib mouse the whole procedure on the SL group than the SS and BS groups (P < 0.01), but no significant difference was found between SS and BS group (P > 0.05). The gastric incision had satisfactory

healing both in SS and BS groups. Changes of body weight and visualization scores were similar among the three groups (P > 0.05). There were no significant difference of serum TNF-α, IL-6 levels and WBC counts at each time point among SS, BS and SL groups (P > 0.05). Besides the postoperative adhesions, there were no other intra-operative and post-operative complications in all three groups. Conclusion: A small-sized endoscope is not superior to a big one selleckchem for transgastric NOTES peritoneoscopy. Transgastric NOTES procedure is not less invasive than laparoscopy in terms of inflammatory response; and NOTES is more time consuming compared to conventional laparoscopy. Key Word(s): 1. NOTES; 2. Laparoscopy; 3. Size of endoscope; 4. Inflammatory; Presenting Author: HANG YI Additional Authors: BING HU, CHENGWEI TANG Corresponding Author: HANG YI Affiliations: West China Hospital, Sichuan University Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of multi-band mucosectomy and endoscopic submucosal dissection in the treatment of early esophageal cancer and precancerous lesions.

All patients tolerated therapy well and became asymptomatic soon

All patients tolerated therapy well and became asymptomatic soon after drug therapy. Conclusions:  Octreotide-LAR therapy causes regression Akt inhibitor of type-I gastric neuroendocrine tumors. After completion

of drug therapy there was no recurrence of tumors even with continued hypergastrinemia. Octreotide therapy should be considered as one of the treatment options in such patients. “
“Aim:  Increased oxidative stress is important in the pathogenesis of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). This study aimed to investigate whether advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) levels can monitor oxidative stress of ACLF patients. Furthermore, we aimed to study plasma exchange (PE) treatment and determine whether it can eliminate AOPP. GW-572016 mouse Methods:  We measured AOPP levels in 50 ACLF patients, 30 patients with compensated liver cirrhosis (CR), 30 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 50 healthy controls by spectrophotometric assay. AOPP concentrations were also measured before and after PE treatment in ACLF patients. As an apoptosis marker, serum cytokeratin 18 (CK18 M 30) levels were detected to investigate the relationship between AOPP and apoptosis in ACLF patients. Results: 

Significantly higher AOPP levels at admission were found in patients with ACLF compared with CR, CHB and healthy controls (69.45 ± 29.04 µmol/L vs. 19.67 ± 7.02 µmol/L, 26.75 ± 5.21 µmol/L and 21.35 ± 6.15 µmol/L, respectively; selleck kinase inhibitor P < 0.001). There was a positive relationship with total bilirubin, Child–Pugh, model for end-stage liver disease scores and CK18 M 30. In ACLF patients, AOPP levels were higher in non-survivors than survivors. An AOPP cut-off of 74.21 µmol/L was used for predicting poor prognosis. Multivariate Cox regression analysis

demonstrated that AOPP were independent risk factors for prognosis. Dynamic change of AOPP levels associated with prognosis appeared earlier than total bilirubin. Following PE treatment, AOPP levels reduced to 34.65 ± 18.14 µmol/L (P < 0.001). Conclusions:  Advanced oxidation protein products were suitable for monitoring the levels of oxidative stress in ACLF patients. Increased AOPP may serve as an important biological marker of worse outcome. In addition, PE therapy was effective in reducing AOPP. "
“A 72-year-old active male patient with cirrhosis secondary to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is evaluated for liver masses. He has no stigmata of end-stage liver disease such as ascites, icterus, or hepatic encephalopathy on physical examination. Laboratory values include a hemoglobin of 12 g/dL with a mean corpuscular volume of 98, white cell count of 3.9 thousand, platelet count of 76,000, total bilirubin of 1.2 mg/dL, albumin of 3.5 g/dL, international normalized ratio of 1.2, and serum creatinine of 1.3 mg/dL. The alpha-fetoprotein is 620 ng/mL.

Radiofrequency ablation is widely used for the treatment of hepat

Radiofrequency ablation is widely used for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, to achieve successful ablation, it is important to have a clear view of the margins of the nodule. Although most larger

hepatocellular carcinomas are hypervascular, early carcinomas can be hypovascular and can be difficult to detect with contrast-enhanced US, contrast-enhanced CT or CT during hepatic arteriography. The recent introduction of contrast-enhanced MRI appears to have improved the detection of early liver tumors and may be helpful for the differentiation of early hepatocellular carcinoma from dysplastic nodules. Real-time virtual sonography is a system in which a B-mode US image can be synchronized

with CT images. To our knowledge, this find more is the first report of the successful use of real-time virtual sonography with enhanced MRI for the detection and treatment of an early hepatocellular carcinoma. This technology may facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma at an earlier stage. Contributed by “
“Over 180 million people are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) worldwide. Despite significant advances in therapy, an alarmingly high number of patents remain both undiagnosed and untreated. Linkage to care is a significant barrier to HCV treatment due to ineffective risk-based screening and the asymptomatic nature of HCV until it reaches advanced selleck chemical stages of disease. Increasing

complexity of HCV therapy, largely due to individualization of treatment, has led to improvements in efficacy but also threatens to propagate and maintain a disparity in access to care. selleck chemicals llc Personalized, or individualized, medicine has been touted as the future of pharmaceutical innovation; however, in a global epidemic such as HCV, deconstructing and reversing this trend may be essential to more effectively combat this disease. In 1989, HCV therapy was simplistic and relatively ineffective. Interferon monotherapy given three times a week for 6 months yielded very few patients with sustained virologic response.[1] As our understanding of the hepatitis C virus improved, HCV therapy became “individualized” as viral and host characteristics were both used to risk stratify patients and optimize response to therapy. These characteristics included patient weight, histologic stage of disease, race, viral genotype, IL28b genetic polymorphism status, and on-treatment viral kinetics. In May 2011, the first direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents, boceprevir and telaprevir, became available to be used in combination with peginterferon (PEG) and ribavirin (RBV). DAA-based triple therapy has boosted sustained virologic response (SVR) rates to ∼75% in genotype 1 patients; however, it requires detailed pretreatment evaluation and complex on-treatment monitoring.

Radiofrequency ablation is widely used for the treatment of hepat

Radiofrequency ablation is widely used for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, to achieve successful ablation, it is important to have a clear view of the margins of the nodule. Although most larger

hepatocellular carcinomas are hypervascular, early carcinomas can be hypovascular and can be difficult to detect with contrast-enhanced US, contrast-enhanced CT or CT during hepatic arteriography. The recent introduction of contrast-enhanced MRI appears to have improved the detection of early liver tumors and may be helpful for the differentiation of early hepatocellular carcinoma from dysplastic nodules. Real-time virtual sonography is a system in which a B-mode US image can be synchronized

with CT images. To our knowledge, this Compound Library is the first report of the successful use of real-time virtual sonography with enhanced MRI for the detection and treatment of an early hepatocellular carcinoma. This technology may facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma at an earlier stage. Contributed by “
“Over 180 million people are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) worldwide. Despite significant advances in therapy, an alarmingly high number of patents remain both undiagnosed and untreated. Linkage to care is a significant barrier to HCV treatment due to ineffective risk-based screening and the asymptomatic nature of HCV until it reaches advanced LEE011 stages of disease. Increasing

complexity of HCV therapy, largely due to individualization of treatment, has led to improvements in efficacy but also threatens to propagate and maintain a disparity in access to care. find more Personalized, or individualized, medicine has been touted as the future of pharmaceutical innovation; however, in a global epidemic such as HCV, deconstructing and reversing this trend may be essential to more effectively combat this disease. In 1989, HCV therapy was simplistic and relatively ineffective. Interferon monotherapy given three times a week for 6 months yielded very few patients with sustained virologic response.[1] As our understanding of the hepatitis C virus improved, HCV therapy became “individualized” as viral and host characteristics were both used to risk stratify patients and optimize response to therapy. These characteristics included patient weight, histologic stage of disease, race, viral genotype, IL28b genetic polymorphism status, and on-treatment viral kinetics. In May 2011, the first direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents, boceprevir and telaprevir, became available to be used in combination with peginterferon (PEG) and ribavirin (RBV). DAA-based triple therapy has boosted sustained virologic response (SVR) rates to ∼75% in genotype 1 patients; however, it requires detailed pretreatment evaluation and complex on-treatment monitoring.