Pilot Study of Betaine + Combination Antiviral Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C Genotype 1 Non-responder/Relapsers

Summary

This is a non-randomized, open-label study examining the safety and efficacy of betaine in addition to standard anti-viral therapy in genotype 1 hepatitis C non-responders or relapsers to previous pegylated interferon plus ribavirin. Betaine (20 gm/day) in 2 divided doses will be added to Peginterferon alpha 2a (180 mcg) plus weight-based Ribavirin (1000 or 1200 mg/day, for body weight \< or \> 75 kg, respectively, for 48 weeks. Patients must be diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C, genotype I, and have undergone therapy for hepatitis C with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin. Subjects will be followed for safety, tolerability, hepatitis C viral response and the effect on interferon gene signaling in peripheral blood mononuclear cells during therapy.

Timeline

Start

2009-05-01

Primary completion

2011-01-12

Completion

2011-01-12

Drugs

Indications