Methodist Health System | Methodist Dallas Medical Center | Shine | Fall 2015

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Q: Could I
have hepatitis
C and not
know it?
A: Yes. Many people have
this liver disease and don’t
have any symptoms. That
means the virus can be doing
damage for decades before
people suspect they have it.
The virus is primarily
passed through blood, so
those most at risk are people
who had transfusions before
1992 (when screening of
blood products began)
or those who have used
injectable drugs.
It’s especially
recommended that anyone
born from 1945 through
1965 (the baby-boom
generation) be tested for
hepatitis C. This group of
people has an unusually
high rate of infection. Talk
with your doctor to find out
if you need to be tested.
his blood stream of hepatitis C. On the
contrary, the disease would attack the new
liver, putting the Whittles back where
they began.
Talking about clinical trials
In the summer of 2014, The Liver
Institute took a new tack with Mark’s
treatment. Parvez Mantry, MD, AGAF,
director research and hepatobiliary
program, proposed a never-before-done
clinical trial to the Whittles, one that
would prevent the hepatitis C from
attacking the new liver and cure the
virus completely.
“Mr. Whittle was
the first person in the
world to undergo this
study,” Dr. Mantry
says. “A new organ is
like a new lease on
life, but for hepatitis C
patients, the liver
would start failing in
five to seven years or
even sooner, which
was disheartening
and discouraging.
“This clinical trial
breakthrough has
completely changed that landscape for a
lot of patients,” he says.
Time for a transplant
During yet another hospital stay in late
August, Melanie and Mark’s prayers were
answered: A liver had been acquired.
IS A CLINICAL TRIAL RIGHT FOR YOU?
Learn more about our clinical research at
or by calling 214-947-6296. C
Just before Stephen Cheng, MD,
transplant surgeon with The Liver
Institute, performed the procedure later
that day, Mark received his first treatment
in the clinical trial.
“Treated with a combination of new
drugs from the time of the transplant till
about three months afterward, Mark’s
hepatitis C was completely and forever
eradicated,” Dr. Mantry says.
Mark noticed improvement every day.
“I was feeling so much better that
I finally realized just how sick I was,”
he says.
Free of hepatitis C
Mark finally finished
the clinical trial
treatments on Nov. 24,
but they had to wait
six months to confirm
the hepatitis C was
gone. That confirmation
came on May 14, and
Mark was overcome
with gratitude.
“If it weren’t for all
the people at The Liver
Institute, I honestly
don’t think I would have
made it,” he says. “Methodist has saved my
life, and I wish I could do something other
than say thank you. They have no idea
how appreciative I am.
“It’s a huge relief to not have hepatitis C
anymore. Now I’m ready to begin my next
chapter in life.”
A clinical trial cures its first participant
completely of the deadly disease
LOOKING FOR A NEW PHYSICIAN?
We can help. For a referral, call
214-947-6296 .
Mark Whittle is now hepatitis C–free.
Methodist Dallas Medical Center • ❁ Fall 2015 11