ASGCT Press Release

ASGCT 13th Annual Meeting:
DNA Vaccine Eases Treatment of Hepatitis C

WASHINGTON – A vaccine that delivers corrected DNA to the immune system may hold the cure for hepatitis C, according to results of a first-of-its-kind study to be presented at the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy 13th Annual Meeting.

Patients in the study received the DNA vaccine followed by traditional antiviral therapies. Within four weeks, 80% of patients saw a reduction of virus load in the blood (called a rapid viral response), as compared to 10-20% using traditional therapy alone.

“These early data suggest that it may be beneficial to combine the vaccine with standard of care for hepatitis C,” said Matti Sallberg, DDS, PhD, the lead researcher on the study. “This may reduce the duration of treatment from 48 weeks to 24 weeks while also lowering exposure to the severe side effects of SOC.”

The results of the study will be presented at 2 p.m. Friday, May 21.

 Members of the media interested in attending the ASGCT Annual Meeting should download the press registration form at www.asgct.org/am10.

Up to 300 million people worldwide are infected with hepatitis C. Up to 40% of those experience chronic infection that does not respond to current therapies. Chronic infection can lead to liver scarring and, eventually, liver failure.

 Abstract: 289
Title: Therapeutic DNA Vaccination Followed by Standard-of-Care Therapy in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C: A Rapid Clearance of Viremia
Date: Friday, May 21, 2010
Session Info: Simultaneous Oral Abstract Sessions: Clinical Gene & Cell Therapy (2-4 p.m.)
Presentation Time: 2 p.m.
Room: Marriott Ballroom Salons 2 & 3

The American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT) is a professional non-profit medical and scientific organization dedicated to the understanding, development and application of genetic and cellular therapies and the promotion of professional and public education in the field. For more information on ASGCT, visit its website, www.asgct.org.

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