
Hyperimmune Bovine Colostrum - TRAVELAN™ for Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection Not...
Asymptomatic Chronic HCV CarriersThis is an exploratory trial of Bovine Colostrum powder to decrease translocation of gut-derived microbial products and immune activation in HCV infection. The study is designed as a single-arm, open-label, before-and after exploratory trial of 10 weeks of Bovine Colostrum Powder (BCP) to reduce translocation of intestinal microbial products and immune activation in patients suffering from chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The study population will include HCV-infected (genotype 1) men and women, ≥ 18 years of age, not receiving anti-viral therapy at the time of enrollment and for at least the previous 3 months. Having failed previous anti-viral therapy (non responders), HCV recurrence after 72 weeks of therapy, developed side effects which mandated stopping anti viral therapy, or not considered eligible for initiation of such treatment, with a plasma HCV RNA level ≥ 1000 I.U.

Peginterferon and Ribavirin, With or Without Telaprevir, for Genotype 1 Hepatitis C and IL28B CC...
Hepatitis CChronic hepatitis C is a major cause of liver disease and is thus an important public health problem. Although some strains (genotypes) of the hepatitis C virus are highly responsive to treatment with a combination of peginterferon and ribavirin, the most common form of the virus (genotype 1) is relatively resistant to this treatment. Recently, telaprevir has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to be given in combination with peginterferon and ribavirin. This 3-drug combination boosts the remission rate for genotype 1 hepatitis C to that seen with other more responsive hepatitis C genotypes treated with only peginterferon and ribavirin. However, telaprevir has additional side affects such as rash and anemia that may limit its usefulness. Intriguingly, about one third of patients infected with genotype 1 hepatitis C, who have a specific variation (polymorphism) in the DNA sequence (CC) near an immune response gene (IL28B), in fact are highly responsive to 2-drug treatment with peginterferon and ribavirin. This raises the possibility that individuals who have the IL28B CC polymorphism may not need to be treated with the addition of telaprevir and could therefore be spared unnecessary side effects. Thus, the purpose of this study is to determine among genotype 1 hepatitis C patients with the IL28B CC polymorphism the success rate and side effects of 3-drug treatment compared with 2-drug treatment. In this study, patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C who have the IL28B CC polymorphism will be randomly assigned to be treated with telaprevir, peginterferon, and ribavirin or with only peginterferon with ribavirin. These medications and the procedures involved, including patient history, physical examination, and obtaining small volume blood specimens (less than 4 teaspoons) for laboratory testing, are within the scope of standard management of hepatitis C treatment. All patients will be monitored during treatment with periodic blood testing (weeks 2, 4, and every 4 weeks thereafter while on treatment, and 24 weeks after stopping treatment) and office visits (weeks 5, 12, 25, 49 while on treatment and 25 weeks after stopping treatment). The success of treatment will be judged by the presence or absence of detectable virus in blood, as measured by a sensitive diagnostic test (PCR). The data to be generated will include measurement by PCR of hepatitis C viral loads before, during, and after treatment, as well as reporting of adverse drug effects.

Staged Phase I/II Hepatitis C Prophylactic Vaccine
Hepatitis CA two stage, phase I/II, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study of hepatitis C virus (HCV)uninfected male and female injection drug users (IDU) aged 18 to 45. AdCh3NSmut1 and MVA-NSMut HCV vaccine will be administered to 68 (+/-4) volunteers in stage 1. A planned interim analysis of safety and immunogenicity will be conducted. If no safety signal is detected and there is evidence of a measurable immune response to HCV then 472 (+/-4) volunteers will be enrolled in stage 2. Primary objectives are to 1) assess the safety of AdCh3NSmut1 and MVA-NSmut compared to placebo when administered to HCV-uninfected IDUs and 2) determine if AdCh3NSmut1 and MVA-NSmut HCV vaccines will reduce incidence of chronic HCV infection compared to placebo among HCV-uninfected IDUs. Planned study duration is approx 63 months (accrual time, 2 months vaccination, 18 months follow-up, and 9 months extended observation for subjects becoming viremic in the last month of follow-up).

Efficacy and Safety of Escitalopram for Prevention of Depression Induced by Peg-Interferon in Hepatitis...
Major Depressive DisorderHepatitis C1 moreThe purpose of this study is to determine whether the use of an antidepressant (escitalopram) can prevent depressive episodes that appear during the treatment with peg-interferon and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Prophylaxis of Psychiatric Symptoms During Anti-HCV Treatment
Hepatitis CThe treatment of chronic hepatitis C with peginterferon and ribavirin is highly effective but is hampered by peginterferon-induced psychopathology. Prevention of peginterferon-induced psychopathology with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI's) (paroxetine) has been shown to be effective in patients treated with interferon for malignant disease. The aim is to study the effects of prophylactic treatment with escitalopram (another SSRI) on peginterferon-associated psychopathology in patients treated with peginterferon and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C.

Evaluation of Dried Blood Spot for HCV RNA Testing
Hepatitis CChronicFIND is preparing a study to evaluate the performance, as measured by sensitivity and specificity, of four centralized assays for the detection of HCV RNA using capillary blood collected on dried blood spots (DBS) and plasma separation card (PSC).

A Prospective Cohort Study to Improve HCV Care in Dialysis Patients
Hepatitis CHepatitis C virus (HCV) infects an estimated 185 million individuals worldwide and 3.4 million to 4.4 million people in the United States. Approximately 80% of acutely infected HCV patients progress to chronic infection, 20% of whom develop cirrhosis within 25 years, with 25% of patients with cirrhosis developing hepatocellular carcinoma and/or decompensated liver disease. Hepatitis C virus is the primary cause of liver transplantation in the United States. There are 6 known genotypes of HCV. The most common genotypes in the United States are genotype 1 (subtypes 1a and 1b), 2, and 3, which together comprise 97% of all infections. In chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, the prevalence of HCV infection is higher than in the general population. Patients with impaired kidney function have limited therapeutic options. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved Elbasvir/Grazopevir for treatment of genotype 1 and 4 infection in CKD patients including those on hemodialysis. At our institution, the Multidisciplinary Approach to the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C (MATCH) Initiative is a program which was first implemented to increase screening, diagnosis and treatment of HCV by actively incorporating primary care providers (PCP) at every step of the HCV care process. Following implementation of MATCH, early data indicates, marked increase in screening high risk and baby-boomer cohorts, as well as safe and effective treatment of HCV cases at the primary provider setting. The initiative proved that active participation of PCPs in the care of HCV reduced the treatment lag by 71% compared to traditional care of referring HCV cases to specialized care (Gastroenterology or Hepatology) while keeping similar SVR. We intend to expand the program to improve quality of care for HCV patients in dialysis center. We propose active involvement of dialysis clinical staff including nephrologist, to increase HCV screening rate, promote timely diagnosis and treatment of CHC in patient with end-stage renal disease. This study is being conducted to evaluate real-world effectiveness of HCV DAA therapy in CHC hemodialysis patients when the DAA-treatment is managed and monitored by the clinical staff of hemodialysis center. Primary objective: To determine sustained virologic response (SVR) rates attained with open-label Zepatier administered through hemodialysis center under the supervision of a nephrologist in chronic hepatitis C infected (CHC) patient currently on hemodialysis. Secondary objective: To estimate prevalence of HCV infection, severity of fibrosis (using non-invasive measures), and HCV detection rate in patients with End stage renal disease on hemodialysis. To calculate the average treatment-lag time (time from HCV diagnosis to submission of treatment approval).

Hepatitis C: Community Testing and Treatment (CT2 Study Myanmar)
Hepatitis CImplementation-effectiveness hybrid trial assessing acceptability, feasibility and cost-effectiveness of community-based point-of-care testing and treatment for hepatitis C. Utilises Cepheid GeneXpert HCV VL device as diagnostic tool (diagnosis of chronic infection and assessment of treatment outcome) and sofosbuvir/daclatasvir for HCV therapy (local standard of care).

Screening for Chronic Hepatitis C Virus in Hospitalized Patients
Hepatitis CChronic viral hepatitis C is a public health problem and several management recommendations are available. According to the HAS, hepatitis C screening consists of a targeted screening of people at risk of infection by the virus, in particular to drug users, to people from countries with a high prevalence of the virus or who have received care in those countries, people transfused before 1992, or people who have been or have been imprisoned. Our study proposes to evaluate hepatitis C screening in consenting patients hospitalized in Saint Joseph. These previously identified patients with comorbidities will be cared for according to current national practices that reduce HCV morbidity and mortality.

HepATocellular Cancer Hcv Therapy Study
Hepatocellular CarcinomaHepatoma2 moreSubjects with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection, genotype 1 or 4 and with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and a complete response to HCC therapy will be randomised to immediate or delayed (6 months) HCV therapy with Elbasvir (MK-8742) and Grazoprevir (MK-5172) [EBR/GZR].