Study to Evaluate the Genetic, Epigenetic, and Proteomic Expression in Latino Participants With and Without HIV Coinfection Receiving Treatment for Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a major health problem affecting 100- 300 million individuals worldwide. Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection leads to cirrhosis in approximately 20% of subjects over a period of 1-20 years. Hepatitis C is now the most common indication for liver transplantation in the United States. infection occurs in one-third of all HIV-infected individuals, and the natural history among HIV-1 infected individuals demonstrates higher levels of HCV viremia, faster rates of progression and cirrhosis. There have been very few studies addressing the lower therapeutic response rates in minorities outside of African Americans. A recent study showed that Latino white subjects respond less effectively (34%) than non Latino white subjects (49%) given the same treatment even after adjusting for various important factors. As the current landscape for treatment of HCV changes, it would be important to evaluate factors responsible for therapeutic response in Latino patients.

This is a study to address the genetic, epigenetic, and proteomic expression during therapy for chronic hepatitis C in Latino participants with and without HIV co-infection. One hundred Latino participants who have evidence of chronic hepatitis C with and without HIV who are receiving treatment for HCV will be enrolled. The results of this study will enable us to explore reasons for the differential therapeutic response rates with Hepatitis C treatment in Latino participants with and without HIV coinfection.