The standard treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection is pegylated interferon alpha combined with ribavirin. Anaemia is a common complication occurring in up to 30% of subjects. Unfortunately, side effects of interferon and ribavirin therapy can require dose reductions, reducing the likelihood of sustained viral response. Recent data shows that interferon alpha may increase hepcidin (a key iron regulator) production, resulting in impaired iron availability for production of red blood cells. In this study, we will evaluate hepcidin levels in 30 patients with Hepatitis C who are treated with interferon containing regimes. If hepcidin plays a role in interferon-induced anaemia, cheap and readily available oral hepcidin inhibitors could be trialled to potentially reduce the impact of interferon alpha induced anaemia.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
15
Subcutaneous weekly pegylated interferon alpha and daily oral ribavirin treatment as per standard treatment. The dosages for interferon and ribavirin are as per therapeutic guidelines and are based on weight, genotype and previous treatments.
Subcutaneous weekly pegylated interferon alpha and daily oral ribavirin treatment as per standard treatment. The dosages for interferon and ribavirin are as per therapeutic guidelines and are based on weight, genotype and previous treatments.
Fremantle Hospital
Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia
Hepcidin levels
To measure changes in serum hepcidin levels during pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin therapy in subjects with chronic hepatitis C infection.
Time frame: Measured at -2 weeks, start of treatment and week 3,4,8, 12 and 24.
iron metabolism markers
To measure changes in iron metabolism (reticulocyte haemoglobin, serum iron, transferrin saturation and ferritin levels) during pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin therapy in subjects with chronic hepatitis C infection.
Time frame: Measured at -2 weeks, start of treatment and week 3,4,8, 12 and 24.
heamolysis markers
To detect ribavirin induced heamolysis by measuring serum haptoglobin and free haemoglobin during pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin therapy in subjects with chronic hepatitis C infection.
Time frame: Measured at -2 weeks, start of treatment and week 3,4,8, 12 and 24.
inosine triphosphatase genetic variants
To measure the effect of inosine triphosphatase genetic variants on anemia during pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin therapy in subjects with chronic hepatitis C infection.
Time frame: Baseline
erythropoiesis markers
To measure the level of erythropoiesis (IL1, IL6, erythropoietin and reticulocyte) during pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin therapy in subjects with chronic hepatitis C infection.
Time frame: Measured at -2 weeks, start of treatment and week 3,4,8, 12 and 24.
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