
Satisfaction in Patients Receiving the PegIntron Pen Plus Rebetol for Hepatitis C (Study P04244)(COMPLETED)...
Hepatitis CChronic1 moreThe current gold standard for treatment of chronic hepatitis C is pegylated interferon plus ribavirin. Drug administration accuracy and ease of use will definitely determine treatment effectiveness. This is the idea behind the development and usage of the PegIntron pen (PegPen). Therefore, it is worthwhile to evaluate patients' satisfaction with this novel device. The results of the study will be used to improve PegPen training techniques for patients and health care providers.

Assessment of Biomarkers for Recurrent HCV Infection Post-liver Transplantation
Hepatitis C VirusThe purpose of this study is to learn about how different immunosuppressant therapies impact on recurrent hepatitis C virus infection in the new liver after liver transplant. We will be evaluating if Cyclosporin A has a superior effect against recurrent Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection than Tacrolimus.

Adherence in Patients Receiving PegIntron/Rebetol for Hepatitis C in Conjunction With a Psychotherapy...
Hepatitis CChronic1 moreSeveral psychiatric adverse events (eg, depression, fatigue, psychoses, behavior troubles, anxiety, irritability, deteriorated concentration, and insomnia) that are likely to occur during the treatment course with PegIntron plus Rebetol may prompt patients to discontinue their treatment early. The goal of this study is to assess whether a psychotherapy support program may contribute to a better adherence rate.

Open Label Study of Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Dose of Adefovir Dipivoxil in Children and Adolescents...
Hepatitis BOpen-label study of the pharmacokinetics of adefovir dipivoxil in children and adolescents infected with chronic hepatitis B.

Long-Term Evaluation Follow-up of Neurocognitive Performance and Emotional State in Patients With...
Hepatitis CChronicThis is a long-term evaluation follow-up study of neurocognitive performance and emotional state in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection and a former (peg)interferon alfa-2b-based therapy. M.R. Kraus, G. Teuber, NN, NN (MPsych), M. Scheurlen Questions: Neurocognitive and psychiatric changes induced by interferon alfa-2b therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C - are they fully reversible in long-term follow-up after the end of antiviral treatment? At least 12 months after the end of antiviral treatment - are neurocognitive and mood-related parameters even significantly improved as compared to pretreatment values? Is this possibly only true of patients with successful virus eradication? At least 12 months after the end of antiviral treatment, is there a significant difference between patients with and without sustained virological response with respect to neurocognitive performance, emotional state and quality of life? In the absence of clinically significant liver damage in patients with chronic hepatitis C - does the mere presence of the hepatitis C virus have any significant influence on neurocognitive or attentional performance? Does the study data support an additional indication for antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis C? In the case of successful virus eradication, emotional state and - above all - is neurocognitive performance significantly improved even in the absence of severe liver damage?

Impact of Moderate Alcohol Use on Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Progression
Hepatic FibrogenesisHepatitis CThe purpose of this study is to determine the effect of moderate alcohol intake on liver disease caused by HCV in terms of speed of progression as compared to those not drinking alcohol.

FGL2/Fibroleukin and Hepatitis C Virus Infection: A Predictor of Response to Antiviral Therapy
Chronic Hepatitis C Virus InfectionThe main objective of this study is to assess whether a recently-developed bioassay for the protein FGL2 can be used to predict the progression and/or response to treatment of Hepatitis C Virus disease in patients with chronic HCV infection. The hypothesis is that increased levels of FGL2 and increased numbers of T regulatory cells are associated with a failure to respond to treatment.

Overcoming Psychiatric Barriers to the Treatment of Hepatitis C
Hepatitis CSubstance Use Disorders1 moreThe purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate a 9-month psychosocial intervention that will assist patients with hepatitis C in overcoming barriers that prevent them from becoming appropriate candidates for interferon therapy.

Study Investigating Immunological Effects of Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis C Patients.
Hepatitis CLiver2 moreAim To evaluate the effects of peginterferon and ribavirin therapy on the immune response in chronic HCV genotype 1,2 or 3 patients before, during and after treatment. Background Treatment of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) has shown a remarkable success. However, genotype 1 patients have reduced response rates. A better understanding and improvement of these results can now be considered the greatest challenge. In chronically infected patients, HCV-specific immune responses are generally weak, narrowly focused, and often dysfunctional. The presence of HCV-specific cells suppressing the immune response (regulatory T-lymphocytes=Treg) are able to suppress the immune response. These Treg are possibly responsible for the impaired immune response. Previous studies have indicated increased Treg frequency and activity of immune regulating mechanisms, locally in the liver, as a result of HCV re-infection. Hence, these Data highlight the importance of monitoring intrahepatic immune responses in addition to peripheral immune responses. Using the minimally-invasive technique of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), it is now possible to obtain safe and frequent liver samples to monitor local antiviral immune responses in chronic HCV patients during antiviral therapy. Rationale and hypothesis of the study Our previous studies and current literature support the concept that Treg may contribute to HCV persistence by suppressing HCV-spec immune responses. The current study is designed to examine if peginterferon and ribavirin therapy affects the activity of Treg and DC, and if this results in enhanced HCV-specific immune responses. Design Single centre, translational and observational open label study with one arm of 20 genotype 1 patients and one arm of 7 genotype 2/3 patients.

Prediction of Hepatic Fibrosis in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C by Biochemical and Duplex Doppler...
Chronic Hepatitis CHepatic Fibrosis1 moreThe purpose of our prospective study was to evaluate the value of Doppler parameters and compare the diagnostic accuracy of Doppler parameters with various biochemical indices in predicting significant hepatic fibrosis (≥ F2) and cirrhosis (F4) in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients.