A Study of Induction Dosing With PEGASYS (Peginterferon Alfa-2a [40KD]) Plus Copegus in Treatment-Naive Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C

Summary

This 4-arm study will compare the efficacy and safety of PEGASYS induction and maintenance dosing, versus standard fixed dosing in combination with Copegus, and the efficacy and safety of higher dose versus standard dose Copegus in combination with PEGASYS. Patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) genotype 1 infection of high viral titer, and baseline body weight ≥85 kg, will be randomized to one of 4 groups, to receive one of the following: a) PEGASYS 180 µg subcutaneously (sc) weekly plus Copegus 1200 mg orally (po) daily; b) PEGASYS 180 µg sc weekly plus Copegus 1400-1600 mg po daily; c)PEGASYS 360 µg sc weekly (induction) followed by 180 µg sc weekly (maintenance) plus Copegus 1200 mg po daily; or d) PEGASYS 360 µg sc weekly (induction) followed by 180 µg sc weekly (maintenance) plus Copegus 1400-1600 mg po daily. Following 48 weeks treatment, there will be a 24-week period of treatment-free follow-up. The anticipated time on study treatment is 3-12 months, and the target sample size is 500+ individuals.

Timeline

Start

2007-02

Primary completion

2009-04

Completion

2009-04

Publications

• Reddy KR, Shiffman ML, Rodriguez-Torres M, Cheinquer H, Abdurakhmanov D, Bakulin I, Morozov V, Silva GF, Geyvandova N, Stanciu C, Rabbia M, McKenna M, Thommes JA, Harrison SA; PROGRESS Study Investigators. Induction pegylated interferon alfa-2a and high dose ribavirin do not increase SVR in heavy patients with HCV genotype 1 and high viral loads. Gastroenterology. 2010 Dec;139(6):1972-83. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2010.08.051. Epub 2010 Sep 30.

Drugs

Indications