Evaluating the Safety of Two Medications to Treat Hepatitis C in People With Thalassemia (The HepC Study)

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of thalassemia * Serum positive for hepatitis C virus RNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test (using the Roche COBAS Amplicor hepatitis C virus test) * Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) negative and HIV negative within the 12 months prior to study entry * Liver biopsy showing histologic evidence of active hepatitis (i.e., at least grade 1 inflammation) * Willing to use acceptable forms of contraception throughout the study Exclusion Criteria: * Baseline liver iron concentration greater than 40.00 mg/g dry weight (iron may be chelated and the individual re-screened). All people with liver iron levels greater than 20.00 mg/g dry weight will be permitted to enroll only if their ejection fraction is 55 or greater by echocardiography (ECHO). * Currently participating in other interventional clinical studies * Received interferon-alfa therapy within the 6 months prior to study entry * Liver dysfunction, defined as international normalized ratio (INR) greater than 1.3, albumin less than or equal to 3.5g/dL, or serum bilirubin greater than 4.0 mg/dL that, in the opinion of the investigator, is not due to Gilbert's syndrome or thalassemia-related hemolysis * Other causes of liver disease (e.g., hereditary hemochromatosis, presumed drug-associated liver disease, Wilson's disease, obesity \[body mass index (BMI) greater than 30\]) * Major psychiatric illness * Neutrophil count less than or equal to 1500/mm3 * Platelet count less than or equal to 80,000/mm3 * Active alcohol abuse within the 12 months prior to study entry * Use of illicit drugs (e.g., heroin, cocaine, angel dust) within the 2 years prior to study entry * Alpha-fetoprotein level greater than 200 ng/mL or evidence of a liver mass lesion by either ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI scan that is suspicious for hepatocellular cancer * Kidney insufficiency, as defined by a clinically significant abnormal serum creatinine test and confirmed by a creatinine clearance rate of less than 50 mL/min based on 24-hour urine collection. People with an elevated serum creatinine level must undergo a creatinine clearance test. * Diabetes that, in the opinion of the investigator, is not controlled by diet, an oral hypoglycemic agent, and/or insulin * Received an organ, limb, or bone marrow transplant * Requires the use of certain long-term medications such as immunosuppressive medications (e.g., corticosteroids, methotrexate, azathioprine) * Active systemic autoimmune disorder (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus) * Diagnosis or treatment of cancer within the 5 years prior to study entry, except for localized squamous or basal cell cancers treated by local excision * Any of the following pre-existing conditions that, in the opinion of the investigator, would prevent treatment with interferon and/or ribavirin: 1. unstable heart disease that is not controlled by medication 2. serious cerebrovascular disease 3. serious lung disease * History of a seizure disorder that has not been well-controlled by anti-seizure medications within the 2 years prior to study entry * Pregnant or breastfeeding * Male partners of women who are pregnant * Any other condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would prevent study participation * Known hypersensitivity to any study drug or their components * Past history of multiple sclerosis, transverse myelitis, optic neuritis, papilledema, chorioretinitis, uveitis, or increased ocular pressure/glaucoma * Currently taking hematopoietic growth factors * Currently taking ribavirin