Cannabis Science, Inc. (CBIS) Featured in A&U Magazine Regarding Potential Utility of Cannabinoids to Address Emerging Crisis of HIV Drug Resistance

PRESS RELEASE

Nov. 18, 2013, 11:52 a.m. EST

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Nov. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- (nasdaq otc:CBIS) Cannabis Science, Inc., a U.S. Company specializing in cannabis formulation-based drug development, highlights two articles validating Cannabis Science's research premise addressing the utility of cannabinoid-mediated viral suppression of HIV's replication cycle: an independent article in the July 2013 issue of A&U magazine, entitled "CB Breaker: Cannabinoids May Be Effective In Treating HIV, Not Just Relieving the Symptoms" and an article in the September 2013 issue of POZ, entitled "Pot - the Next HIV drug?" The A&U article features Cannabis Science's CS-TATI-I clinical research program developing a cannabinoid-based HIV Tat inhibitor to interfere with the transactivation of Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV), the cause of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). KS is a devastating cancer that remains a significant threat to human health throughout Africa, other resource-poor regions contending with the AIDS crisis and related oncological complications, while also increasing in long term survivors of anti-retroviral therapy.

http://aumag.org/wordpress/2013/07/09/cannabinoids-as-treatment/

The article in A&U, authored by Jeannie Wraight, Editor-in-Chief of HIV HAVEN and Contributing Writer for A&U, reviewed data generated via NIH grants from Yuri Persidsky, MD, PhD, Chairman, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Temple University, published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology that indicates anti-inflammatory activity of cannabinoids correlating with a decreased level of HIV in macrophages that directly causes a decrease in HIV replication. The article also covered data generated by Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, also funded by the NIH in 2012, which demonstrates the utility of cannabinoids to suppress HIV infection by blocking signaling between HIV and CXCR4, a critical receptor required by HIV to infect T cells. Data in a 2011 article from the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology found that cannabinoids inhibit HIV Tat, an essential gene necessary for viral replication.

"The fact that patient communities are following relevant cannabis and cannabinoid-based research highlights the need for these therapies to receive appropriate public facilitation in order to address the current disparities facing drug-resistant treatment-experienced and newly infected non-responding HIV patients. The HIV community has a long history of advocating for new potential therapies and support further efforts to accelerate the commercial development of CS-TATI-I," said Dr. Dorothy Bray, CEO of Cannabis Science.

Dr. Robert Melamede, President of Cannabis Science, noted, "This article appeared immediately following the release of new data on HIV and Kaposi's sarcoma presented at IAS 2013 and the STI & AIDS World Congress 2013. The growing volume of studies demonstrating the effect of cannabinoids on HIV and other diseases is reaching a tipping point as Cannabis Science is aggressively moving through the preclinical development process."

POZ magazine, the leading national HIV publication, reported in the September 2013 issue on a series of recent peer-reviewed publications demonstrating the antiviral effect of cannabinoids on HIV, further demonstrating the validity of Cannabis Science's therapeutic approach of cannabinoid-based antiviral therapy. POZ magazine (http://www.poz.com) has provided essential clinical information to HIV patients around the world since 1994. An award-winning print and online publication, POZ is identified by its readers as their most trusted source of information about HIV.

http://www.poz.com/articles/treatment_september_2013_2791_24341.shtml

"Acknowledgement from POZ and A&U is a historically essential aspect for advancing new discoveries into the clinic. The current momentum of interest by HIV community-based publications on this important research will help ensure that legislators and key opinion leaders in scientific research prioritize support for further clinical investigations that will advance cannabinoid research into publicly supported therapeutic settings," noted Dr. Melamede.

At the recent 7th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention (IAS 2013, www.ias2013.org) that took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, critical data on how cannabinoids suppress HIV replication was presented by researchers at Temple University, entitled "Targeted transcriptomic analysis reveals cellular factors responsible for the suppressive effect of cannabinoids on HIV-1 replication". The authors developed a transcription-based approach to examine the mechanisms of how cannabinoids appeared to be able to suppress HIV. The study identified specific host factors and cellular pathways associated with cannabinoid signalling and HIV replication and initial characterization of cannabinoid-mediated viral suppression. This research will contribute to the overall knowledge of the effects of cannabinoids on HIV and help enable cannabinoid-based therapies to be developed.

In the past six months, Cannabis Science established corporate operations in Amsterdam, The Netherlands in initial efforts, among others, to establish collaborations with the Amsterdam Innovation Motor, Amsterdam BioMed Cluster, Amsterdam Life Sciences Fund, I amstarter program and the University of Amsterdam in the development of CS-TATI-I.

About A&U MagazineFounded in 1991, A&U Magazine (http://aumag.org/wordpress/) is a publication focused on the current course of the AIDS crisis and responses to the AIDS pandemic including nutrition, treatment, and innovative therapies.

About the 7th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention (IAS 2013)IAS 2013 (www.ias2013.org) is the world's largest open scientific gathering on HIV/AIDS and took place from June 30-July 3, 2013 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Organized by the International AIDS Society (IAS) and held every two years, the conference attracts over 5,000 of the world's leading scientists, clinicians, policy makers and community leaders to learn about the latest developments in HIV-related research and clinical competency and collaborate on translating the latest scientific advances to the global response to HIV/AIDS. The IAS is the world's leading association of HIV professionals that provides critical platforms for presenting new research, promoting dialogue, education and best practices and advocating for an evidence-based and the continuous improvement of the global response to HIV.

About the Amsterdam Innovation MotorThe Amsterdam Innovation Motor (AIM, http://www.aimsterdam.nl), associated with the Amsterdam Economic Board focuses on creating partnerships for innovative entrepreneurship and facilitating the translation of knowledge and applications in life science research supported by measurable economic activities to create bridges in early and mid stage life science companies. AIM has received support from the Knowledge Exploration Subsidy Program (SKE) of Technopartner (Ministry of Economic Affairs), providing life science entrepreneurs with assistance to further stimulate the Dutch economic position in the global life science arena. The Amsterdam BioMed Cluster is one of the leading biotechnology hubs in the world.

About Cannabis Science, Inc.Cannabis Science, Inc. takes advantage of its unique understanding of metabolic processes to provide novel treatment approaches to a number of illnesses for which current treatments and understanding remain unsatisfactory. Cannabinoids have an extensive history dating back thousands of years, and currently there are a growing number of peer-reviewed scientific publications that document the underlying biochemical pathways that cannabinoids modulate. The Company works with leading experts in drug development, medicinal characterization, and clinical research to develop, produce, and commercialize novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment for illnesses caused by infections as well as for age-related illness. Our initial focus is on skin cancers and HIV related cancers such as Kaposi's sarcoma.

Forward Looking StatementsThis Press Release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. A statement containing works such as "anticipate," "seek," intend," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "project," "plan," or similar phrases may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some or all of the events or results anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not occur. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company's reliance on existing regulations regarding the use and development of cannabis-based drugs. Cannabis Science, Inc. does not undertake any duty nor does it intend to update the results of these forward-looking statements.

Cannabis Science, Inc. Dr. Dorothy Bray, CEO & Director www.cannabisscience.com

Investment InquiriesRobert Kanerkane@cannabisscience.com561.420.4824

SOURCE Cannabis Science, Inc.

Copyright (C) 2013 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

Source

Interpreting ABBV/ENTA’s SAPHIRE-1 results

Written by DewDiligence on Invertors Hub Boards

Re: Interpreting ABBV/ENTA’s SAPHIRE-1 results

98% SVR12 in GT1b and 95% SVR12 in GT1a—both on an ITT basis—are excellent efficacy results, of course. However, SAPHIRE-1 (and the yet-to-report SAPHIRE-2) are primarily safety studies, as noted in #msg-91739317.

How did the 3-DAA+ribavirin arm perform in SAPHIRE-1 relative to the placebo arm onsafety? From today’s PR:

Quote:

---

The most commonly reported adverse events in the 3D and placebo arms, respectively, were fatigue, headache and nausea. Discontinuations due to adverse events were reported in 0.6 percent of patients receiving the 3D regimen and0.6 percent of patients receiving placebo.

---

In other words, there were no excess dropouts in the treatment arm relative to the placebo arm, which is as good an outcome as one could hope for (pending the detaileddata on AEs to be presented at a medical conference).

All told, SAPHIRE-1 looks like an excellent start to ABBV/ENTA’s array of six phase-3 trials for the initial NDA submission in 2Q14. The five other phase-3 trials to support the initial NDA are SAPHIRE-2, PEARL-2/3/4, and TURQUOISE-2, as detailed in #msg-93647264.

Background on SAPHIRE-1: The “placebo” arm in SAPHIRE-1 was actually a delayed treatment arm insofar as patients received the same regimen as the treatment arm, but the start of treatment was delayed by 12 weeks in order to make a safety comparison between the arms. HCV progresses much too slowly for a 12-week delay to affect the efficacy results in the delayed-treatment arm (which have yet to be reported).

Source

Also See: Abbvie Releases First of Six Phase III Results From Investigational All-Oral, Interferon-Free, 12-Week Regimen, Showing 96% SVR12 In Genotype 1 Hepatitis C Patients New To Therapy

Abbvie Releases First of Six Phase III Results From Investigational All-Oral, Interferon-Free, 12-Week Regimen, Showing 96% SVR12 In Genotype 1 Hepatitis C Patients New To Therapy

- CONFIRMS RESULTS OF PHASE II STUDIES, WITH CONSISTENT VIROLOGIC RESPONSE AND TOLERABILITY PROFIL

- LARGEST ALL-ORAL, INTERFERON-FREE CLINICAL PROGRAM IN GENOTYPE 1 (GT1) PATIENTS TO DATE(1)

- ON TRACK FOR MAJOR REGULATORY SUBMISSIONS IN Q2 2014

- WORLDWIDE, ABOUT 160 MILLION PEOPLE ARE CHRONICALLY INFECTED WITH HEPATITIS C(2), MOST WITH GT1

Nov 18, 2013

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., Nov. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) released the first phase III results for the investigational three direct-acting-antiviral (3D) regimen plus ribavirin in patients chronically infected with genotype 1 (GT1) hepatitis C virus (HCV). In the 631-patient SAPPHIRE-I study, patients new to therapy receiving 12 weeks of AbbVie's 3D regimen achieved a sustained virologic response at 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR₁₂) of 96 percent. The majority of patients were GT1a, considered the more difficult-to-treat subtype, and the SVR₁₂rates of GT1a and GT1b were 95 percent and 98 percent, respectively. The rate of virologic relapse or breakthrough was low, occurring in 1.7 percent of patients receiving the 3D regimen. In addition, discontinuation rates due to adverse events were low, and of an equal percentage (0.6 percent) in both active and placebo groups.

AbbVie's multinational HCV program is the largest all-oral, interferon-free clinical program in GT1 patients being conducted to date. GT1 (with subtypes 1a and 1b) is the most prevalent genotype worldwide, with a higher prevalence of 1a in the U.S. and 1b in Europe. SAPPHIRE-I is the first of six phase III trials supporting AbbVie's investigational 3D regimen for the treatment of GT1 hepatitis C patients.

"SAPPHIRE-I demonstrates that patients new to therapy with genotype 1 HCV achieved high rates of virologic response with AbbVie's interferon-free, all-oral 3D regimen plus ribavirin, and the SVR rate is consistent with results from our phase II studies," said Scott Brun, M.D., vice president, pharmaceutical development, AbbVie. "SAPPHIRE-I is the first of these studies to report results, and based on the progress of our clinical program to date, we are on track for major regulatory submissions in the second quarter of 2014."

AbbVie will disclose detailed SAPPHIRE-I results at future scientific congresses and in publications.

About Study M11-646 (SAPPHIRE-I)
SAPPHIRE-I is a global, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 12 weeks of treatment with ABT-333 (250mg), ribavirin (weight-based), both dosed twice daily, and the fixed-dose combination of ABT-450/ritonavir (150/100mg) co-formulated with ABT-267 (25mg) and dosed once daily in non-cirrhotic, GT1a and GT1b HCV-infected, treatment-naive adult patients.

The study population consisted of 631 GT1 treatment-naive patients with no evidence of liver cirrhosis with 473 patients randomized to the 3D regimen plus ribavirin for 12 weeks, and 158 patients randomized to placebo for the initial 12 weeks. Patients initially randomized to placebo for the first 12 weeks then received open-label treatment with the 3D regimen plus ribavirin for 12 weeks.

Following 12 weeks of treatment with AbbVie's 3D regimen plus ribavirin, 96 percent (n=455/473) of patients achieved SVR₁₂ based on intent-to-treat analysis where patients with missing values for any reason were considered treatment failures. In the active treatment arm, patients with GT1b infection achieved 98 percent SVR₁₂ (148/151), while patients with GT1a achieved 95 percent SVR₁₂ (307/322).

The most commonly reported adverse events in the 3D and placebo arms, respectively, were fatigue, headache and nausea. Discontinuations due to adverse events were reported in 0.6 percent of patients receiving the 3D regimen and 0.6 percent of patients receiving placebo. The rate of virologic relapse or breakthrough was low, occurring in 1.7 percent of patients receiving the 3D regimen.  

Additional information about AbbVie's phase III studies can be found on www.clinicaltrials.gov.

AbbVie's HCV Development Program
The clinical program supporting our 3D regimen includes more than 2,300 genotype 1 patients in greater than 25 countries around the world. The AbbVie HCV clinical development program is intended to advance scientific knowledge and clinical care by investigating an interferon-free, all-oral 3D regimen with or without ribavirin with the goal of producing high SVR rates in as many patients as possible, including those that typically do not respond well to treatment, such as previous non-responders to interferon-based therapy or patients with advanced liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. Results from the remaining five studies in AbbVie's phase III program will be available in the coming months, supporting regulatory submissions starting in the second quarter of 2014.

Overview of AbbVie's phase III clinical programs is as follows:

Study	Patients (N)	Treatment Regimen	Treatment Duration
SAPPHIRE-I	GT1, treatment-naive (631)	•  ABT-450/rb+ABT-267c •    ABT-333 •    Ribavirin	12 weeks
		•   Placebo	12 weeks, then active treatment for 12 weeks
SAPPHIRE-II	GT1, treatment-experienced (400a)	•   ABT-450/r +ABT-267 •    ABT-333 •    Ribavirin	12 weeks
		•   Placebo	12 weeks, then active treatment for 12 weeks
PEARL-II	GT1b, treatment-experienced (210 a)	•   ABT-450/r +ABT-267 •    ABT-333 •    Ribavirin	12 weeks
		•   ABT-450/r +ABT-267 •   ABT-333	12 weeks
PEARL-III	GT1b, treatment-naive (400 a)	•   ABT-450/r +ABT-267 •    ABT-333 •   Ribavirin	12 weeks
		•   ABT-450/r +ABT-267 •    ABT-333 •    Placebo	12 weeks
PEARL-IV	GT1a, treatment-naive (300 a)	•   ABT-450/r +ABT-267 •   ABT-333 •    Ribavirin	12 weeks
		•   ABT-450/r +ABT-267 •    ABT-333 •    Placebo	12 weeks
TURQUOISE-II	GT1, treatment-naive and treatment-experienced (with compensated cirrhosis) (380 a)	•   ABT-450/r +ABT-267 •    ABT-333 •    Ribavirin	12 weeks
		•   ABT-450/r +ABT-267 •    ABT-333 •   Ribavirin	24 weeks

a projected study population

b ABT-450/ritonavir

c ABT-267 is co-formulated with ABT-450/r, administered as two pills once daily

The 3D regimen consists of boosted protease inhibitor ABT-450/ritonavir, NS5A inhibitor ABT-267, and non-nucleoside polymerase inhibitor ABT-333. The combination of three different mechanisms of action interrupts the HCV replication process with the goal of optimizing SVR rates across different patient populations. In May of 2013, AbbVie's investigational 3D regimen with and without ribavirin for HCV GT1 was designated as a Breakthrough Therapy by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

ABT-450 was discovered during the ongoing collaboration between AbbVie and Enanta Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ENTA) for HCV protease inhibitors and regimens that include protease inhibitors. ABT-450 is being developed by AbbVie for use in combination with AbbVie's other investigational medicines for the treatment of HCV.

Safety Information for Ribavirin and Ritonavir
Ribavirin and ritonavir are not approved for the investigational use discussed above, and no conclusions can or should be drawn regarding the safety or efficacy of these products for this use.

There are special safety considerations when prescribing these drugs in approved populations.

Ritonavir must not be used with certain medications due to significant drug-drug interactions and in patients with known hypersensitivity to ritonavir or any of its excipients.

Ribavirin monotherapy is not effective for the treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus and must not be used alone for this use. Ribavirin causes significant teratogenic effects and must not be used in women who are pregnant or breast-feeding and in men whose female partners are pregnant. Ribavirin must not be used in patients with a history of severe pre-existing cardiac disease, severe hepatic dysfunction or decompensated cirrhosis of the liver, automimmune hepatitis, hemoglobinopathies, or in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a in HIV/HCV co-infected patients with cirrhosis and Child-Pugh score >6.

See approved product labels for more information.

About AbbVie
AbbVie is a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company formed in 2013 following separation from Abbott. The company's mission is to use its expertise, dedicated people and unique approach to innovation to develop and market advanced therapies that address some of the world's most complex and serious diseases. In 2013, AbbVie employs approximately 21,000 people worldwide and markets medicines in more than 170 countries. For further information on the company and its people, portfolio and commitments, please visit www.abbvie.com. Follow@abbvie on Twitter or view careers on our Facebook or LinkedIn page.

Forward-Looking Statements
Some statements in this news release may be forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions, among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, challenges to intellectual property, competition from other products, difficulties inherent in the research and development process, adverse litigation or government action, and changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry. 

Additional information about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie's operations is set forth in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," in AbbVie's 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AbbVie undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law.

[1] Comparison based on review of data from clinicaltrials.gov for phase 3a programs of Gilead, BMS and BI as ofNovember 15, 2013

[2] Lavanchy D. Evolving epidemiology of hepatitis C virus. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2011; 17(2):107-15.

SOURCE AbbVie

For further information: Media, Elizabeth Hoff, +1 (847) 935-4236, elizabeth.hoff@abbvie.com, or Javier Boix, +1 (847) 937-6113, javier.boix@abbvie.com; or Investor Relations, Elizabeth Shea, +1 (847) 935-2211, elizabeth.shea@abbvie.com

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10 Things You Need to Know about Caregiving

November 2013

Disability Connection: 10 Things You Need to Know about Caregiving

1. November Is National Family Caregivers Month. Caregivers play an important role in the lives of their family members, friends or neighbors who have disabilities, are sick and/or elderly. A 2009 survey released by the National Alliance for Caregiving and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) found that one in four American families – about 22 million households – care for someone else (age 50 or older).

According to a fact sheet from the Family Caregiver Alliance:

• 65.7 million people, roughly 29 percent of the U.S. adult population, are caregivers;
• Family caregivers provide an estimated $450 billion worth of uncompensated care to loved ones annually;
• More women (66 percent) than men are caregivers, and the average age of a female caregiver is 48;
• One-third (34 percent) of caregivers help two or more people; and
• Nine out of 10 caregivers of veterans are female, and 70 percent provide care to their spouse or partner.

2. Medicare is an important factor to consider when parents, grandparents, relatives or friends need to make crucial health care decisions. Medicare.gov provides several fact sheets for caregivers with questions and answers on topics such as coverage for health services, applying for Medicare and how to submit claims. The site also offers a Caregiver Resource Kit. Additional information about Medicare and Caregivers is available on the National Institutes of Health Senior Health website. Topics include planning for medical care, managing chronic illness, understanding Medicare billing and terms every caregiver needs to know.

3. Respite Care, such as adult day care or other community programs, provides temporary relief to families caring for people with disabilities, chronic or terminal illnesses and the elderly. Read the guide, The ABCs of Respite, to learn about types of respite, how to choose a program or provider and how to pay for the service. The National Respite Locator Service, provided by the ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center, helps parents, family caregivers and professionals find respite services in their community. You can also use the Eldercare Locator to view community services for older adults and their families by topic or location.

4. Caregiver Stress can take many forms such as frustration, guilt, loneliness and exhaustion. Studies show that long-term caregiving can be physically and emotionally draining and is often associated with an increased risk for illness. Get answers to frequently asked questions, as well as tips on how to prevent and relieve stress with this Caregiver Stress fact sheet from WomensHealth.gov. The Alzheimer’s Association’s Caregiver Stress Check tool can help you determine your level of stress and recommend helpful resources. Both sites suggest that caregivers set realistic goals when determining day-to-day priorities, turn to others for help with tasks and set aside time for themselves each day, even if only for an hour or two.

5. Getting Paid to Be a Caregiver is a complex subject. While some states have programs that pay family members to be caregivers, they vary state-to-state, and most have strict eligibility and financial requirements for recipients. Your local Medicaid office is a good place to start for information about what is available in your state. If you are caring for a veteran, you should go to the VA Caregiver Support website to learn about additional assistance for which you may be eligible. Other options to consider are long-term care insurance, caregiver contracts and flexible work arrangements that allow you to work from home while taking care of an ill or elderly loved one. Visit the Family Caregiver Alliance website for additional information on getting paid as a family caregiver. You may also enjoy reading the post, Can Full-Time Family Caregivers Get Paid, on Disability.Blog, which contains valuable information and resources.

6. Financial Caregiving. Besides attending to the physical and emotional needs of an ill or elderly loved one, caregivers often handle financial responsibilities, as well. The typical caregiver helps with or arranges bill paying, deposits, insurance and benefit claims, savings and investment decisions, housing, tax preparation and countless other financial duties. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently published four guides entitled, Managing Someone Else’s Money, for powers of attorney, court-appointed guardians, trustees and government fiduciaries. Each provides tips and resources to help financial caregivers carry out their duties. AARP also offers a planning guide to help families assess the housing, financial, personal care and transportation needs of their loved ones.

7. A Free Online Workshop for Caregivers of Veterans. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers a free six-week online workshop, Building Better Caregivers™, for family caregivers of veterans. Participants log on for two hours each week to review lessons, exchange ideas with others and access tools. The workshop addresses specific needs of caregivers who help veterans with dementia, memory problems, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder or any other serious injury or illness. The program, developed at Stanford University, has been recognized for its ability to reduce stress and depression, as well as increase the overall well-being of caregivers. If you are interested in participating, you should contact a Caregiver Support Coordinator at your local VA Medical Center. Visit www.caregiver.va.gov and enter your ZIP code to find one near you.

8. Hiring In-Home Help. There may be times when you need outside professional support to help care for an ill or elderly loved one at home. The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers has helpful guidelines for hiring in-home caregivers, which include working with a reputable agency, checking references, completing background checks and interviewing potential candidates, among others. The AARP article,Hiring a Home Care Worker, contains practical advice on finding candidates, considering applicants and conducting an interview. The National Caregivers Library provides a Needs Assessment Worksheet to help you determine the level of support you need when hiring an in-home caregiver.

9. Online Caregiver Support. Being a caregiver can be an isolating experience. However, there are many online resources available for caregivers, such as support groups, educational modules and review sites. The Family Caregivers Online website offers 15 free educational modules on topics such as Behavior and Emotions of Aging, Safety and Independence and End of Life Issues. Caregiver Reviews gives free, unbiased views on products, services and resources. Subjects covered include caregiver blogs and websites, home monitoring products, medication reminders and pill dispensers and The Alzheimer’s Reading Room. Caregivers can sign up for free email alerts on new reviews, products, coupon deals and discounts. In addition, the following organizations offer online support groups, some of which are moderated: Family Caregiver Alliance; the Alzheimer’s Association’s ALZ Connected; AgingCare.com; and Caring.com.

10. Psychological Impact. Conversations about whether your elderly parents are capable of continuing to live independently, drive, care for each other, etc., can be difficult but necessary as they age. Fortunately, there are some helpful publications that offer guidance on making these conversations productive. Easter Seals offers a free publication, Loving Conversations, to help you determine the best choices regarding health care, living arrangements, legal issues and more for your aging loved ones. A Caring.com article, How to Talk to the Elderly about Tough Family Issues, also gives an overview of the conflicting life stages of elderly parents and their middle aged children, as well as pointers on being an effective communicator and listener when discussing difficult issues, such as a parent giving up their driver’s license and moving to an assisted living or nursing home facility.

Don’t forget to visit Disability.gov for additional resources on Caregiving. You can also stay connected to the site through Facebook, Twitter and Disability.Blog.

Read past issues of the Disability Connection newsletter.

Received via email from disability.gov

Mediterranean Diet and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Journal of Hepatology

Article in Press

Federica Turati, Dimitrios Trichopoulos, Jerry Polesel, Francesca Bravi, Marta Rossi, Renato Talamini, Silvia Franceschi, Maurizio Montella,  Antonia Trichopoulou, Carlo La Vecchia, Pagona Lagiou

Received 14 June 2013; received in revised form 16 October 2013; accepted 31 October 2013. published online 18 November 2013.
Accepted Manuscript

Abstract

Background & aims

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a very poor prognosis and any effort to identify additional risk factors, besides those already established, would be important for the prevention of the disease. Data on the role of diet on HCC risk are still controversial.

Methods

We have evaluated the association of adherence to the Mediterranean diet with HCC risk, as well as the interaction of this dietary pattern with chronic hepatitis infection, by combining two case-control studies undertaken in Italy and Greece, including overall 518 cases of HCC and 772 controls. Adherence to the traditional Mediterranean diet was assessed through the Mediterranean diet score (MDS), which ranges between 0 (lowest adherence) and 9 (highest adherence). Odds ratios (OR) for HCC were obtained through multiple logistic regression models, controlling for potentially confounding variables, including chronic infection with hepatitis B/C viruses.

Results

Compared to MDS of 0-3, the ORs for HCC were 0.66 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.41-1.04) for MDS equal to 4 and 0.51 (95% CI, 0.34-0.75) for MDS > or eaqual to 5, with a significant trend (p<0.001). The detrimental effect of poor adherence to Mediterranean diet on HCC risk was disproportionally high among those chronically infected with hepatitis B and/or C viruses, with a suggestion of super-additivity additive interaction, albeit statistically non-significant.

Conclusion

Closer adherence to the Mediterranean diet appears to be protective against HCC. Our results also point to potential benefits from adhering to a Mediterranean dietary pattern for patients chronically infected with hepatitis viruses.

Abbreviations: HCC, Hepatocellular carcinoma, HBV, hepatitis B virus, HCV, hepatitis C virus, HBsAg, hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-HCV, antibodies against hepatitis C virus, MDS, Mediterranean diet score, Odds ratio, OR, CI, confidence interval, BMI, body mass index,RERI, excess risk due to interaction, S, synergy index

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