A Pilot Study to Treat Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Genotype 1 and End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

Inclusion Criteria: * Chronic HCV defined by: * A history of a positive anti-HCV or HCV RNA for \> 6 months or * A liver biopsy demonstrating at least portal fibrosis * HCV genotype 1 * No prior treatment with any interferon or peginterferon preparation * ESRD undergoing hemodialysis for at least 6 months * Willingness not to conceive a child during treatment and for 6 months following discontinuation of treatment. Exclusion Criteria: * Histologic evidence of cirrhosis * Any co-existent liver disease * A platelet count \< 90,000 * A total white blood cell (WBC) \< 2.5 * An absolute neutrophil count \< 1.5 * Hemoglobin \< 11 gm/dl on Epoetin-alpha * Positive test for anti-HIV * Pregnancy of the patient or their intimate partner * Women who are breast feeding * Significant cardiovascular disease * History of suicide intent, severe depression requiring hospitalization or significant psychiatric disease * Malignancy within 5 years of enrollment except for squamous or basal cell skin cancer * Co-existent immune disorder such as lupus, rheumatoid as arthritis, colitis, Crohns disease, sarcoidosis, etc. * Any patient in the opinion of the investigator who would not be a satisfactory study candidate