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Study of Nitazoxanide, Peginterferon Alfa-2a and Ribavirin for the Treatment of Hepatitis C

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Chronic Hepatitis C
Interventions
Drug: Placebo
Biological: Peginterferon alfa-2a
Registration Number
NCT00495391
Lead Sponsor
Romark Laboratories L.C.
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine if nitazoxanide in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin is safe and effective in treating chronic hepatitis C in patients that have previously failed to respond to treatment with peginterferon and ribavirin.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
64
Inclusion Criteria
  • Chronic hepatitis C genotype 1.
  • Failed to respond to ≥12 weeks of peginterferon and ribavirin (<2 log10 drop in Hepatitis C Virus Ribonucleic Acid (HCV RNA) at week 12 or detectable Hepatitis C Virus Ribonucleic Acid (HCV RNA) at week 24).
Exclusion Criteria
  • Females of child-bearing age who are either pregnant, breast-feeding or not using birth control and are sexually active.
  • Males whose female partners are either pregnant or of child-bearing potential or not using birth control and are sexually active.
  • Other causes of liver disease including autoimmune hepatitis.
  • Transplant recipients receiving immune suppression therapy.
  • Screening tests positive for Anti-Hepatitis A Virus Immunoglobulin M Antibody (anti-HAV IgM Ab), Hepatitis B's antigen (HBsAg), Anti-Hepatitis B core antigen Immunoglobulin M Antibody (anti-HBc IgM Ab) or Anti-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Antibody (anti-HIV Ab).
  • Decompensated cirrhosis, history of variceal bleeding, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score >6 or Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score >8.
  • Alcohol consumption of >40 grams per day or an alcohol use pattern that will interfere with the study.
  • Absolute neutrophil count <1500 cells/mm3; platelet count <135,000 cells/mm3; hemoglobin <12 g/dL for women and <13 g/dL for men; or serum creatinine concentration ≥1.5 times Upper Limit of Normal (ULN).
  • Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism not effectively treated with medication.
  • Hemoglobin A1C (HgbA1c) >7.5 or history of diabetes mellitus.
  • Body Mass Index (BMI) >28.
  • History or other clinical evidence of significant or unstable cardiac disease.
  • History or other clinical evidence of chronic pulmonary disease associated with functional impairment.
  • Serious or severe bacterial infection(s).
  • Ulcerative or hemorrhagic/ischemic colitis.
  • Pancreatitis.
  • History of severe or uncontrolled psychiatric disease, including severe depression, history of suicidal ideation, suicidal attempts or psychosis requiring medication and/or hospitalization.
  • History of uncontrolled severe seizure disorder.
  • Requires concomitant theophylline or methadone.
  • History of immunologically mediated disease requiring more than intermittent anti-inflammatory medications for management or that requires frequent or prolonged use of corticosteroids.
  • History or other evidence of severe retinopathy or clinically relevant ophthalmological disorder due to diabetes mellitus or hypertension.
  • Hemoglobinopathies.
  • History of hypersensitivity or intolerance to nitazoxanide or any of the excipients comprising the nitazoxanide tablets, peginterferon alfa-2a injectable solution or ribavirin tablets.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
1Peginterferon alfa-2aOral 500 mg nitazoxanide twice daily for 4 weeks followed by oral 500 mg nitazoxanide twice daily plus weekly injections of peginterferon alfa-2a plus oral ribavirin (1000 mg if \<75 kg body weight or 1200 mg if ≥75 kg body weight) in daily divided doses for 48 weeks.
1RibavirinOral 500 mg nitazoxanide twice daily for 4 weeks followed by oral 500 mg nitazoxanide twice daily plus weekly injections of peginterferon alfa-2a plus oral ribavirin (1000 mg if \<75 kg body weight or 1200 mg if ≥75 kg body weight) in daily divided doses for 48 weeks.
2PlaceboOral placebo twice daily for 4 weeks followed by oral placebo twice daily plus weekly injections of peginterferon alfa-2a plus oral ribavirin (1000 mg if \<75 kg body weight or 1200 mg if ≥75 kg body weight) in daily divided doses for 48 weeks.
1NitazoxanideOral 500 mg nitazoxanide twice daily for 4 weeks followed by oral 500 mg nitazoxanide twice daily plus weekly injections of peginterferon alfa-2a plus oral ribavirin (1000 mg if \<75 kg body weight or 1200 mg if ≥75 kg body weight) in daily divided doses for 48 weeks.
2Peginterferon alfa-2aOral placebo twice daily for 4 weeks followed by oral placebo twice daily plus weekly injections of peginterferon alfa-2a plus oral ribavirin (1000 mg if \<75 kg body weight or 1200 mg if ≥75 kg body weight) in daily divided doses for 48 weeks.
2RibavirinOral placebo twice daily for 4 weeks followed by oral placebo twice daily plus weekly injections of peginterferon alfa-2a plus oral ribavirin (1000 mg if \<75 kg body weight or 1200 mg if ≥75 kg body weight) in daily divided doses for 48 weeks.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Sustained Virologic Response (HCV RNA Below Lower Limit of Detection)24 weeks after end of treatment

Hepatitis C Virus Ribonucleic Acid (HCV RNA) below lower limit of detection 24 weeks after the end of treatment. All others were considered non-responders.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
End of Treatment Response (HCV RNA Below Lower Limit of Detection)At end of treatment

Hepatitis C Virus Ribonucleic Acid (HCV RNA) below lower limit of detection at the end of treatment. All others were considered non-responders.

Early Virologic Response (HCV RNA Below Lower Limit of Detection)After 12 weeks combination treatment

Hepatitis C Virus Ribonucleic Acid (HCV RNA) below lower limit of detection after 12 weeks of combination therapy.

Rapid Virologic Response (HCV RNA Below Lower Limit of Detection)After 4 weeks combination treatment

Hepatitis C Virus Ribonucleic Acid (HCV RNA) below lower limit of detection after 4 weeks of combination therapy.

Changes in ALTFrom baseline to end of follow up

This analysis was conducted using a comparison of changes in Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) from baseline through week 8, week 16, end of treatment and end of follow up.

Trial Locations

Locations (10)

VA Palo Alto Healthcare System

🇺🇸

Palo Alto, California, United States

McGuire VA Medical Center

🇺🇸

Richmond, Virginia, United States

Nashville Medical Research Institute

🇺🇸

Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Stanford University School of Medicine

🇺🇸

Stanford, California, United States

University of Florida Hepatology

🇺🇸

Gainesville, Florida, United States

Yale University Digestive Diseases

🇺🇸

New Haven, Connecticut, United States

Florida Center for Gastroenterology

🇺🇸

Largo, Florida, United States

Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates

🇺🇸

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Weill Cornell Medical College

🇺🇸

New York, New York, United States

Brooke Army Medical Center

🇺🇸

Fort Sam Houston, Texas, United States

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