Romiplostim in Treating Hepatitis C-Infected Patients With Thrombocytopenia

Inclusion * All patients with HCV virus infection documented by detectable plasma HCV antibodies and RNA who would be excluded by FDA criteria for antiviral treatment with peginterferon-alpha 2a and ribavirin due to thrombocytopenia (platelets \< 70,000/L); patients cannot have received previous anti-viral therapy with interferon/ribavirin * Liver biopsy indicating chronic hepatitis within the previous 2 years * Mean platelet count of \< 70,000/L on two repeated measurements in a two week screening period with no single count \>= 75,000/L * Neutrophil count of \>= 1000/mcl * Hemoglobin \>= 11gm/dL and no evidence of active bleeding * Prothrombin Time (PT) INR \< 1.6 seconds * Albumin \>= 2.5 gm/dL * ALT \>= 1.2 and \< 10 times upper limit of normal * No evidence of either ischemic change or cardiac injury on 12-lead electrocardiogram (EKG) * Negative pregnancy test and women must be using adequate contraception for at least 2 weeks prior to enrollment and while enrolled in the study * Signed informed consent within 2 weeks of enrollment and randomization Exclusion * Received previous anti-viral therapy with interferon/ribavirin * Child's Class B and C or acute decompensated liver disease * Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection or co-infected with hepatitis B virus * Any untreated active infection * Active malignancy, known primary bone marrow disorder (myelodysplasia, myeloproliferative disease, etc.), or history of blood or bone marrow transplantation; patients with documented hemoglobinopathies * Active vasculitis associated with cryoglobulinemia as manifested by either renal disease or dermatologic findings * Positive pregnancy test or men with pregnant partners * Creatinine and BUN of greater than twice (2x) the upper limits of normal * History of venous or arterial thrombosis, myocardial infarction or thrombotic stroke * Patients who in the investigators opinion will fail to be compliant or have other contraindication to treatment on this study * Other inherited or acquired liver disease * Previous solid organ transplant * Known hypersensitivity to E. coli derived recombinant proteins * Active rheumatologic disease including Systemic Lupus Erythematosis * Known history of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation, Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, or Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura