Peginterferon Alpha-2a and Ribavirin to Treat Hepatitis C in HIV-infected Patients

Summary

This study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of combination therapy with peginterferon alpha-2a and ribavirin for treating hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in HIV-infected patients. Peginterferon alpha with ribavirin is the therapy of choice for people with HCV alone. Peginterferon alpha-2a is a compound that results from attaching a polyethylene glycol molecule to interferon alpha-2a. This compound stays in the blood longer than unmodified interferon alpha-2a, causing a higher blood concentration and thus maintaining greater activity against the hepatitis C virus. HIV-infected patients 18 years of age and older with chronic hepatitis C infection and a viral load greater than 2000 copies/mL may be eligible for this 2-1/2 year study. Candidates are screened with a medical history and physical examination, blood and urine tests, eye examination, chest x-ray, electrocardiogram (EKG), liver ultrasound, and pregnancy test in women who are able to become pregnant. If a recent liver biopsy is not available, this test is done to determine the type and severity of liver disease. The patient is given a sedative before the procedure. Then, the skin in the area over the biopsy site is numbed with a local anesthetic and a needle is inserted rapidly into and out of the liver to obtain a small tissue sample. The patient remains in the hospital overnight for monitoring. Participants begin treatment with injections under the skin of peginterferon alpha-2a and ribavirin pills by mouth on study day 0. Peginterferon is given either once or twice a week for 4 weeks and then once a week for 44 weeks. Ribavirin is given daily. In addition, patients continue to take all other medications prescribed by their doctor. Clinic visits are scheduled for the following procedures: * Days 1, 3, 4, 7, 10 and weeks 2, 3, and 4 - Blood tests for safety measures and to measure blood levels of HIV and HCV. * Weeks 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44 - Blood and urine tests to determine the side effects of treatment and its effect on the HCV infection. In addition, eye examinations are done every 3 months, and pregnancy and thyroid function tests are done several times during the treatment period. * Week 48 or end of treatment - Treatment stops after 48 weeks. At this time, or earlier for those who do not complete the 48 weeks, patients return to the clinic for a chest x-ray, EKG, blood tests, and abdominal ultrasound. Patients are hospitalized for a repeat liver biopsy. * Weeks 52, 56, 64 and 72 - Blood and urine tests to determine the side effects of treatment and its effect on the HCV infection, and a urine pregnancy test in women.

Timeline

Start

2004-06

Primary completion

2008-11

Completion

2008-11

Publications

• Background Alter MJ, Mast EE. The epidemiology of viral hepatitis in the United States. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 1994 Sep;23(3):437-55.
• Background Seeff LB, Buskell-Bales Z, Wright EC, Durako SJ, Alter HJ, Iber FL, Hollinger FB, Gitnick G, Knodell RG, Perrillo RP, et al. Long-term mortality after transfusion-associated non-A, non-B hepatitis. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Study Group. N Engl J Med. 1992 Dec 31;327(27):1906-11. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199212313272703.
• Background Koretz RL, Abbey H, Coleman E, Gitnick G. Non-A, non-B post-transfusion hepatitis. Looking back in the second decade. Ann Intern Med. 1993 Jul 15;119(2):110-5. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-119-2-199307150-00003.

Drugs

Indications