Data have suggested that consensus interferon (CIFN) has greater antiviral activity in vitro compared with interferon alfa-2a or alfa-2b. Several clinical studies also suggest that CIFN has greater antiviral activity in patients with genotype 1 hepatitis C infection, particularly if given as a daily injection. These data indicate that the use of a regimen of daily CIFN and ribavirin will lead to greater virologic response rates compared with pegylated interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin in patients with genotype 1 infection, with comparable adverse events. Emerging data indicate that HCV genotype 1 patients with a delayed virologic response to initial therapy may benefit from an extended duration of therapy. Therefore, the goals of this pilot study are to determine the tolerability and efficacy of daily CIFN plus ribavirin when given for 52 weeks or an extended duration of therapy. The target population will consist of “difficult-to-treat” patients, defined as having the following characteristics: genotype 1, a North American patient population, predominantly male gender, and no specific exclusions for pre-existing psychiatric or substance abuse co-morbidities.

Current treatment for hepatitis C is a pegylated interferon alfa plus ribavirin. This treatment is inadequate for patients with HCV genotype 1, since the majority of patients do not respond (termed non-responders) or respond but relapse (termed relapsers) following termination of these treatments. Data from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Hepatitis C Registry and community hospitals indicate that the large majority of patients identified with hepatitis C have characteristics associated with a poor treatment response and remain untreated at this time. Data have smcggested that consensus interferon (CIFN, CIFN or interferon alfacon-1) has greater antiviral activity in vitro compared with interferon alfa-2a or alfa-2b. Preliminary data indicate that more patients with genotype 1 can respond to CIFN and ribavirin than current standard treatments, due to the fact that approximately 25% of patients who are nonresponders to pegylated interferon and ribavirin may have a sustained response to a regimen of daily CIFN and ribavirin. Furthermore, difficult to treat patients may benefit from a longer duration of therapy than the standard 48 week regimen based on when an initial virologic response to therapy occurs.

Aims: To determine the safety and efficacy of (A) daily CIFN (15 mcg/d sq) and ribavirin (1-1.2 gm/d PO) given for 52 weeks, vs (B) daily CIFN (15 mcg/d sq) and ribavirin (1-1.2 gm/d PO) given for 52 to 72 weeks for treatment-naïve patients with hepatitis C genotype 1, with treatment duration based on the virologic response during the initial 24 weeks.

Methods: Patients who meet eligibility criteria will be stratified by race and randomized to one of two treatment arms, and all patients will have viral kinetics measured by quantitative PCR at weeks 4,8,12,16,20 and 24. Patients in treatment arm A will follow “standard” stopping rules, i.e., if there is not a 2-log drop in viremia by 12 weeks the treatment will be discontinued, otherwise they will all receive 52 weeks of treatment if they also are qualitative PCR negative by week 24. In treatment arm B the patients will be monitored monthly until they have a virologic response (defined as >2 log drop in viral levels from baseline) by quantitative PCR for up to 24 weeks. Once they have a virologic response by quantitative PCR their treatment will be continued for an additional 48 weeks. In both groups, treatment will be stopped if the patients do not become negative for HCV RNA by qualitative PCR by 24 weeks on therapy. A total of 192 patients at up to 10-20 sites will be recruited. The primary endpoint would be the number who achieve a sustained virologic response; secondary endpoints are the percentage of patients who complete therapy, have significant adverse events, and the relationship of early virologic response at each 4 week period between 4 and 24 weeks and those who achieve a sustained virologic response.

Sample size determination: To detect an absolute difference of 20% or more in sustained virologic response between treatment arms A and B; the Log-rank test is performed at the alpha level of .05 and the test is maintained at least 80 percent statistical power; it is estimated that a total of 96 patients in each treatment arm will be required.

Analysis: Univariate and multivariate analysis will be used to determine factors associated with final endpoints. Subgroup analyses will be done based on time to early virologic response and duration of therapy each stratification. The primary and secondary endpoints will be determined on an intention-to-treat basis starting with all patients that receive at least one dose of study medications. The primary and secondary endpoints will also be determined in a per-protocol analysis on those patients who take 80% of the prescribed CIFN and 80% of the prescribed ribavirin for 80% of the time.

Significance: The current initial treatment of pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin for patients with hepatitis C who are genotype 1 and have other “difficult-to-treat” characteristics is inadequate. The results of this trial are needed to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of two regimens of daily CIFN and ribavirin. Since the large majority of hepatitis C patients in VA and other community hospitals fall into this category, the results of this trial may influence the potential treatments recommended for these patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Chronic hepatitis C. This is defined as the documentation of the presence of circulating hepatitis C virus by a positive hepatitis C PCR test and a positive HCV genotype test for genotype 1, and a liver biopsy (within the previous 5 years) that is compatible with chronic hepatitis. (Note: no requirement is made for the presence of abnormal transaminases. Patients with persistently normal transaminases are allowed if they meet the definition of chronic hepatitis C above). Liver biopsy data is required on at least 90% of enrolled patients to allow for the potential refusal of patients for the liver biopsy test. In the case of patients that have refused liver biopsies a clinical diagnosis of chronic hepatitis C is required. In the absence of a liver biopsy within five years the clinical diagnosis requires a history compatible with a chronic hepatitis C infection with the documentation of the presence of circulating hepatitis C virus by a positive hepatitis C PCR test and a positive HCV genotype test for genotype 1, and biochemical evidence of prior abnormal transaminases at two times covering a time span of at least 6 months.

2. Positive HCV RNA by PCR, Genotype 1, treatment naive 3. Age 18-65 years. 4. Patient must be able to give informed consent. 5. Eligible for interferon alfa and ribavirin-based antiviral treatment:

1. Negative pregnancy test at entry within 48 hours of starting treatment.
2. Reconfirmation and documentation that sexually active female patients of childbearing potential are practicing adequate contraception. A urine pregnancy test obtained at entry prior to the initiation of treatment must be negative.
3. Reconfirmation that sexually active male subjects are practicing acceptable methods of contraception during the treatment period and for six months following the last dose of study medication.
4. For patients with cirrhosis or stage 4 fibrosis on liver biopsy, they must have an alpha fetoprotein (AFP) value < 80 ng/mL obtained within 3 months prior to entry. Cirrhotics with an alpha fetoprotein value >30 ng/mL but <80ng/mL may be enrolled after a normal ultrasound or triphasic CT scan within the previous 3 months. Cirrhotics with alpha fetoprotein levels up to 30 ng/ml must have an ultrasound or CT scan within 6 months of enrolling that is negative for hepatocellular cancer. Patients with an AFP > 80 ng/mL may not be enrolled. Cirrhotics must have ongoing HCC screening during study.

5. Compensated liver disease with the following laboratory results at entry:

   • Hemoglobin greater than or equal to 12 gm/dL for females and greater than or equal to 13 gm/dL for males
   • WBC greater than or equal to 2,000/mm3
   • Neutrophil count greater than or equal to 1,500/mm3
   • Platelets greater than or equal to 75,000/mm3
   • Albumin > 3.0 g/dL
   • Total bilirubin <2.0
   • Serum creatinine < 1.4 mg/dL
   • INR <1.8
   • If diabetic, must have glycosylated Hgb test that demonstrates adequate control of diabetes in the opinion of the investigator
   • TSH within normal limits (including patients with hypothyroidism controlled by thyroid hormone replacement)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patient unable or unwilling to participate.
2. Liver disease in addition to chronic hepatitis C (HBsAg positive, prior diagnosis of or known autoimmune liver disease, hemochromatosis, PBC, PSC, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, Wilson’s disease, etc.)
3. Decompensated liver disease, with history of encephalopathy, variceal bleeding, or ascites or CHILD-PUGH class B or C.
4. Baseline BDI > 19 or current suicidal or homicidal ideation. (Note: if baseline BDI is > 19 pt. will require a psychiatric evaluation and treatment; if deemed stable after this he may be considered according to site PI clinical judgment.)
5. Current substance use disorder (Must be evaluated and demonstrate engagement and compliance with care before they will be eligible).

6. Patients with active or uncontrolled psychiatric disease including:

   o patients who have had recent prior severe psychiatric disease, such as patients who were previously hospitalized with major depressive or bipolar or major psychotic disorder within the last 2 years, and patients who were previously hospitalized for suicide attempts within the last two years,

   • patients with prior traumatic brain injury and persistent deficits related to this, and
   • patients who have a recent (past five year) history of, or who are known to be at risk for, homicidal ideation or assaultive behavior.:
7. Accepted and reasonable exclusion criteria for interferon alfa and ribavirin based treatments:

1) CNS trauma or active seizure disorders requiring medication. 2) Significant cardiovascular dysfunction within the past 12 months 3) Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus (in the opinion of the site PI). 4) Moderate or severe chronic pulmonary disease 5) Clinically significant immunologically mediated disease 6) Hemoglobinopathies (e.g., Thalassemia) or any other cause of hemolytic anemia.

7) Evidence of decompensated liver disease such as a history of or presence of ascites, bleeding varices, or spontaneous encephalopathy or CHILD-PUGH scores B or C.

8) Any medical condition requiring, or likely to require during the course of the study, chronic systemic administration of steroids.

9) Hypersensitivity to interferon alfa or ribavirin 10) Known anti-HIV positive 11) Clinically significant retinopathy 12) Previous solid organ transplantation 13) Any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, will prevent the patient from being compliant with study medications or appointments.

8. Patients who develop hepatic decompensation during the course of treatment. The PT/INR, total bilirubin, albumin will be repeated at the 24 week interval to allow for a re-calculation of the CHILD-PUGH score. Patients who have developed a score of 7 or greater (CHILD-PUGH class B or greater) be considered for discontinuation of the study.

• Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center
• Minnesota Veterans Research Institute
• InterMune