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Sponsored by: |
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) |
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Information provided by: | National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00475176 |
This study will examine the effectiveness of S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) in combination with peginterferon and ribavirin for treating hepatitis C virus. One out of three patients with hepatitis C develops cirrhosis of the liver, which can lead to liver failure or liver cancer. SAMe is a nutritional supplement that is made naturally in all cells of the body and acts to improve how the body handles stress. In laboratory experiments with liver cells, SAMe decreases the injury caused by liver toxins and improves the ability of interferon to block hepatitis C virus.
Patients 18 years of age and older with hepatitis C infection who did not respond successfully to prior treatment with interferon and ribavirin or peginterferon and ribavirin may be eligible for this study.
Participants receive the following treatment:
Participants have a thorough physical evaluation before beginning treatment and again at the study's end. After starting treatment, patients return for clinic visits and blood tests weekly for the first several weeks, then less frequently (at 2-week, then 4-week and 8-week intervals until up to 72 weeks) to monitor symptoms, drug side effects, hepatitis C virus levels, liver enzyme levels and immune responses to hepatitis C.
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Condition | Intervention | Phase |
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Chronic Hepatitis C |
Drug: Peginterferon Drug: Ribavirin Drug: SAMe for Chronic Liver Disease |
Phase II |
Study Type: | Interventional |
Study Design: | Treatment, Non-Randomized, Open Label, Uncontrolled, Single Group Assignment, Pharmacodynamics Study |
Official Title: | Effects of S-Adenosyl Methionine (SAMe) on Viral and Cell Signaling Response to Combination Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C |
Estimated Enrollment: | 25 |
Study Start Date: | May 2007 |
S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) is a nutritional supplement which is available as an over-the-counter formula. It is a naturally occurring, modified amino acid that is produced in virtually all cells and participates in many biochemical pathways as a major methyl donor and may play a role in intracellular interferon signaling.
This study will assess the effects of SAMe on antiviral responses to peginterferon and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C, genotype 1, who have failed to respond to a previous course of therapy. After screening evaluation, patients will receive a first course of 2 weeks of peginterferon alfa-2a (180 micrograms weekly) and ribavirin (1000-1200 mg daily) during which symptoms, routine laboratory tests, HCV RNA levels, natural killer (NK) cell activity, and lymphocyte interferon-signaling responses will be monitored. After a 4-week washout period, patients will start SAMe (800 mg twice daily) for 2 weeks and then begin a second course of peginterferon and ribavirin in the same doses with similar monitoring. Therapy will be continued for at least 12 weeks, and patients with an early viral response will continue for a full 48 weeks. The primary criterion for efficacy of SAMe will be improved HCV kinetic responses comparing the first and second courses of peginterferon and ribavirin. Secondary endpoints will be improvement in NK cell activity and intracellular interferon signaling.
This is a pilot study to determine whether SAMe improves responses to peginterferon therapy in terms of intracellular interferon signaling, innate immune responses, and decline in viral levels.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years and older |
Genders Eligible for Study: | Both |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
EXCLUSION CRITERIA
Contact: Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office | (800) 411-1222 | prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov |
Contact: TTY | 1-866-411-1010 |
United States, Maryland | |
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike | Recruiting |
Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892 |
Responsible Party: | National Institutes of Health ( Jay H. Hoofnagle, M.D./National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases ) |
Study ID Numbers: | 070143, 07-DK-0143 |
Study First Received: | May 17, 2007 |
Last Updated: | December 11, 2008 |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00475176 |
Health Authority: | United States: Federal Government |
Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 1 Non-Responders SAMe Natural Killer Cells Interferon Signaling |
Ribavirin Peginterferon Hemolysis STAT Hepatitis C |
Virus Diseases Hepatitis Liver Diseases Digestive System Diseases Hepatitis, Chronic Interferons |
Ribavirin Hemolysis Hepatitis, Viral, Human Hepatitis C Hepatitis C, Chronic |
Antimetabolites Anti-Infective Agents RNA Virus Infections Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action |
Flaviviridae Infections Therapeutic Uses Antiviral Agents Pharmacologic Actions |