Effects of Low-Dose Maintenance Peg Interferon Alfa-2b Therapy Versus Supportive Care in Patients With Cirrhotic Hepatitis C With HIV (Study P04371)

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age at least 18 years but < 70 years, of either sex or any race.
• Detectable plasma hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA (all genotypes of HCV are permitted).
• Cirrhosis of the liver within the last five years.
• Compensated liver disease (Child-Pugh <8 with hepatic encephalopathy  1.
• No evidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and a serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) <100 ng/mL within two months of randomization/study enrollment.
• Varices results via endoscopy within the last six months or at time of screening.
• Serologic evidence of human immunodeficiency virus-1.
• CD4 cell count >=100 /µL.
• Platelet number of at least 50000 mm**3.
• Neutrophil count of at least 750 mm**3.
• Hemoglobin of >9.0 mg%.
• Serum thyroid stimulating hormone levels within normal limits, regardless of treatment with L thyroxin.
• Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)<8.5%, to demonstrate controlled diabetes, if applicable.
• Written clearance from an ophthalmologist must be presented for subjects with a history of hypertension or diabetes prior to treatment start.
• Creatinine clearance >50 mL/min, as assessed by the indirect calculation method.
• Demonstrate stable status of HIV-1 infection.
• On stable antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for at least 6 weeks prior to baseline, with the expectation of their HAART regimen (drugs and dosage) remaining unaltered for the first 8 weeks of the study OR
• Willing to delay initiation of HAART therapy for at least 6 weeks (for subjects who have not been on HAART for at least 8 weeks prior to randomization). "Structured treatment interruptions" will be permitted during the study.
• Counseled in the appropriate use of birth control while in this study, as confirmed by the principal investigator or a sub-investigator.
• Free of any clinically significant disease (other than HCV and HIV) that would interfere with study evaluations.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Female who is pregnant, intends to become pregnant during the study or within two months after study completion, or is nursing. Male subject whose partner wants to become pregnant.
• Using silymarin.
• Positive test at screening for anti-HAV IgM Ab, HBsAg, anti-HBc IgM Ab, or HBeAg.
• Any cause of liver disease other than chronic hepatitis C.
• Suspected or having hypersensitivity to interferon.
• History of liver decompensation status or other evidence of bleeding from esophageal varices, signs of current bleeding, significant ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, jaundice or other conditions consistent with decompensated liver disease.
• Present with a lesion suspicious for hepatic malignancy on the screening imaging.
• Any active malignant disease, suspicion, or history of malignant disease within 5 years prior to study enrollment (except for adequately treated basal cell carcinoma).
• Known coagulation or hemoglobin diseases.
• Organ transplant, except corneal or hair transplant.
• Any known preexisting medical condition that, in the investigator’s opinion, could interfere with the subject's participation in and completion of the study, such as major depressive disorder.
• Active HIV-related opportunistic infection and/or malignancy requiring systemic therapy.
• Evidence of known severe retinopathy.
• Subject has not observed the designated washout periods for any of the prohibited medications.
• Participating in any other hepatitis C clinical study.