Assessment of the Antiviral Effect of Atorvastatin on Hepatitis C Virus

Summary

We hypothesize that atorvastatin will decrease HCV viral load in patients taking the medication. Cholesterol is needed for HCV virion production. Cell culture studies have shown that atorvastatin (an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor) decreases HCV viral replication. As atorvastatin has been proven to decrease heart attack and stroke in patients with high cholesterol, this medication is indicated for the treatment of elevated cholesterol in at risk individuals. Therefore we propose to study the effect atorvastatin has on the viral load of patients initiated on atorvastatin therapy for their elevated cholesterol.

Timeline

Start

2006-02

Primary completion

—

Completion

2006-07

Publications

• Background Ikeda M, Abe K, Yamada M, Dansako H, Naka K, Kato N. Different anti-HCV profiles of statins and their potential for combination therapy with interferon. Hepatology. 2006 Jul;44(1):117-25. doi: 10.1002/hep.21232.
• Background Kapadia SB, Chisari FV. Hepatitis C virus RNA replication is regulated by host geranylgeranylation and fatty acids. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005 Feb 15;102(7):2561-6. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0409834102. Epub 2005 Feb 7.
• Background Aizaki H, Lee KJ, Sung VM, Ishiko H, Lai MM. Characterization of the hepatitis C virus RNA replication complex associated with lipid rafts. Virology. 2004 Jul 1;324(2):450-61. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2004.03.034.

Drugs

Indications