Objective: The goal is to improve peginterferon sensitivity in previous poor responders. "Sensitivity" here means the host's ability to kill more HCV. Design: Twenty poor responders to prior PIFN/RBV will be given 48 weeks of statin monotherapy. Veterans and civilians between the ages of 18 and 70 are eligible.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
20
daily statin orally for 48 weeks
Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Improvement in peginterferon response as measured by change in HCV RNA levels
The change in hepatitis C viral load in response to one injection of peginterferon will be measured with a baseline pre-study viral load and response to an injection of peginterferon; this test will be remeasured 48 weeks later. The change in viral loads over time will be assessed statistically.
Time frame: 48 weeks
The response of interferon stimulated genes
The number of known interferon activated genes will be assessed by microarray from serum samples at baseline and then reassessed by microarray 48 weeks later.
Time frame: 48 weeks
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