Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Patients With Persistently Normal Alanine Aminotransferase Levels With Peginterferon α-2a (40 kDa) Plus Ribavirin

University of Turin, Italy1 site in 1 country150 target enrollmentSeptember 2007

ConditionsChronic Hepatitis C

InterventionsPeg-Interferon alpha2a plus Ribavirin

DrugsPeg-Interferon alpha2a plus Ribavirin

Overview

Phase: Phase 4
Intervention: Peg-Interferon alpha2a plus Ribavirin
Conditions: Chronic Hepatitis C
Sponsor: University of Turin, Italy
Enrollment: 150
Locations: 1
Primary Endpoint: To evaluate the efficacy of treatment and the outcome of treated patients compared with a control group of untreated patients.
Last Updated: 17 years ago

Overview Investigators Eligibility Criteria Arms & Interventions Outcomes Sites Similar Trials

Overview

Brief Summary

Patients with chronic hepatitis C with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels have been generally excluded from treatment, because the strong conviction that normal ALT would be synonymous of absence of liver damage. However, recent studies have demonstrated marked liver fibrosis, including cirrhosis, in patients with HCV and persistently normal ALT levels. Up to now, just a sigle randomized, controlled, multicenter study was lead to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C and persistently normal serum ALT levels. Aim of our study is evaluate the efficacy of treatment and the outcome of treated patients compared with a control group of untreated patients.

Registry

clinicaltrials.gov

Start Date

September 2007

End Date

September 2010

Last Updated

17 years ago

Study Type

Interventional

Study Design

Single Group

Sex

All

Investigators

Sponsor

University of Turin, Italy

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

•Serologic evidence of chronic hepatitis C infection (repeatedly HCV-RNA positive) with persistent normal ALT levels documented on at least 3 occasions, in the last 18 months before screening.
•Fibroscan performed in the last 3 months
•Compensated liver disease, Child Pugh score \<7
•Serum HCV-RNA \>615 IU/mL
•Patients who are naïve to any hepatitis C therapy (i.e. have not been previously treated with an interferon or with IFN plus ribavirin)
•No clinical or radiological evidence of hepatocellular carcinoma and a serum AFP \<100 ng/mL within 2 months of randomisation
•Negative urine or blood pregnancy test (for women of childbearing potential) documented within the 24-hour period prior to the first dose of study drug
•All fertile males and females receiving ribavirin must be using two forms of effective contraception during treatment and during the 6 months after treatment end

Exclusion Criteria

•Women with ongoing pregnancy or breast feeding
•History or other evidence of bleeding from oesophageal varices or other conditions consistent with decompensated liver disease (Child Pugh B or C)
•Therapy with any systemic anti-viral, anti-neoplastic or immunomodulatory treatment (including supraphysiologic doses of steroids and radiation) £6 months prior to the first dose of study drug
•History or other evidence of a medical condition associated with chronic liver disease other than HCV (e.g., hemochromatosis, autoimmune hepatitis, metabolic liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, toxin exposures)
•Neutrophil count \<1500 cells/mm3 or platelet count \<90,000 cells/mm3 at screening
•Serum creatinine level \>1.5 times the upper limit of normal at screening
•Evidence of current severe psychiatric disease, especially depression within one year of study entry. Severe psychiatric disease is defined as treatment with an antidepressant medication or a major tranquilizer at therapeutic doses for major depression or psychosis, respectively, within 12 months prior to study entry. Patients with a previous history of the following: a suicidal attempt, hospitalization for psychiatric disease, or a period of disability due to a psychiatric disease should be evaluated by a qualified Psychiatrist for study suitability prior to enrolment.
•History of a severe seizure disorder or current anticonvulsant use History of immunologically mediated disease, chronic pulmonary disease associated with functional limitation, severe cardiac disease, major organ transplantation or other evidence of severe illness, malignancy, or any other conditions which would make the patient, in the opinion of the investigator, unsuitable for the study
•History of thyroid disease poorly controlled on prescribed medications, elevated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations with elevation of antibodies to thyroid peroxidase and any clinical manifestations of thyroid disease
•Evidence of severe retinopathy (e.g. CMV retinitis, macula degeneration)