A Study to Evaluate the Erythropoietic Response in Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Patients Receiving Combination Ribavirin (RBV)/Interferon (IFN) Therapy or RBV/PEG IFN (NATURAL HISTORY-HCV)
Information source: Ortho Biotech Products, L.P.
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this data on August 23, 2015 Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record.
Condition(s) targeted: Hepatitis C; Anemia
Intervention: Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin (Drug)
Phase: Phase 2
Status: Completed
Sponsored by: Ortho Biotech Products, L.P. Official(s) and/or principal investigator(s): Ortho Biotech Products, L.P. Clinical Trial, Study Director, Affiliation: Ortho Biotech Products, L.P.
Summary
The purpose of this study was to describe the time course and extent of hemoglobin (Hb)
changes and the erythropoietic response to PEG-IFN/RBV-induced anemia In HCV-infected
subjects.
Clinical Details
Official title: A Study to Evaluate the Erythropoietic Response in Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Patients Receiving Combination Ribavirin (RBV)/Interferon (IFN) Therapy or RBV/PEG IFN
Study design: Allocation: Non-Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment
Primary outcome: Primary endpoints were change in Hb and sEPO from baseline to week 8 (or early withdrawal)
Secondary outcome: Other endpoints measured were changes in reticulocytes, platelets, total bilirubin, and RBV dose from baseline to week 8.
Detailed description:
Patients receiving combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection
(standard or pegylated interferon alfa [PEG-IFN] in combination with ribavirin [RBV])
frequently develop moderate to severe anemia. In large, prospective, clinical trials of
PEG-IFN alfa-2b and PEG-IFN alfa-2a, the reported mean decreases in hemoglobin (Hb) were 2. 5
g/dL and 3. 7 g/dL, respectively. Furthermore, in a retrospective study, 54% of standard
interferon/RBV-treated patients had hemoglobin (Hb) decreases of at least 3 g/dL. It is
important to understand the causes, natural history, and risk factors associated with HCV
therapy-induced anemia, because such decreases in Hb can result in RBV dose reduction or
discontinuation, which may adversely affect the likelihood of a virologic response.
Erythropoietin is an endogenous hormone that acts in the bone marrow to increase the number
of erythroid progenitor cells. Normally, a decrease in the Hb level is accompanied by an
increase in the serum erythropoietin (sEPO) level, which will ultimately normalize the Hb
level. The relationship between Hb and sEPO is less apparent in patients with chronic
diseases such as cancer and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. It is not known
whether HCV-infected patients receiving combination PEG-IFN/RBV therapy have a similarly
diminished erythropoietic response to anemia.
One hundred HCV-infected patients who are receiving combination RBV/IFN or RBV/PEG-IFN
therapy will be enrolled in this multicenter study. No study medication will be administered
during this study. Weekly blood samples will be collected at specified times during the
initial 8 weeks of RBV/IFN or RBV/PEG-IFN therapy. Assessment of laboratory tests, vital
signs, incidence and severity of adverse experiences will be obtained.
The objective of this study is to document the pattern of hemoglobin changes and
erythropoietic response (from baseline to final assessment, up to Week 8) in HCV-infected
patients receiving combination therapy with RBV/IFN or RBV/PEG-IFN. N/A
Eligibility
Minimum age: 18 Years.
Maximum age: 75 Years.
Gender(s): Both.
Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Signed Informed Consent
- HCV- infected patients confirmed by PCR or branched DNA (b-DNA)
- Scheduled to commence combination RBV/IFN or RBV/PEG-IFN therapy on Day 1
- Normal serum creatinine
- Life expectancy > 6 months
Exclusion Criteria:
- HIV-infected patients
- History of any primary hematologic disease
- Anemia attributable to factors such as iron or folate deficiency, pre-treatment
- hemolysis or gastrointestinal bleeding
- Has suspected or confirmed significant hepatic disease from an etiology other than
- HCV (e. g. alcohol, HBV, autoimmune disease etc)
- Current, active substance abuser
- Pregnant or breast feeding
- Women of childbearing potential not taking adequate birth control measures
- Exposure to Epoetin alfa within three (3) months prior to study enrollment or during
study
- Transfusion within three (3) months prior to study entry
Locations and Contacts
Additional Information
A Study to Evaluate the Erythropoietic Response in HCV Patients Receiving Combination Ribavirin/Interferon Therapy or Ribavirin/PEG-Interferon
Starting date: October 2001
Last updated: May 17, 2011
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