Active clinical trials for "Porphyria Cutanea Tarda"

This study aims to assess the changes in the cardiovascular system in patients with acute intermittent porphyria (AIP).

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is an iron-related disorder that responds to treatment by phlebotomy or low-dose hydroxychloroquine, but comparative data on these treatments are limited. The hypothesis is that hydroxychloroquine is noninferior to phlebotomy in terms of time to remission. Patients with well documented PCT are assigned to treatment by randomization if specific criteria are met. All patients are followed until remission - defined as achieving a normal plasma porphyrin concentration.

To determine the efficacy and tolerability of deferasirox in the treatment of Porphyria Cutanea Tarda. Primary objective - the elimination of all blistering within 6 months of treatment. Secondary objective - decrease in total body iron levels.

In the medical literature there case reports that Harvoni improves symptoms in patients with PCT. However, this has never been systematically tested. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to assess whether Harvoni alone is an effective therapy of active PCT in patients with Chronic Hepatitis C.

While clinical phlebotomy is current standard practice for alleviating non-transfusion iron overload in patients with PCT, it may not be suitable for all patients. For example, some patients are unwilling to be adequately phlebotomized because of inconvenience, as phlebotomy can be cumbersome, especially during the induction treatment phase requiring frequent clinic visits (twice a month, for at least 6 months) or because of venous access difficulties. Other patients are unable to undergo phlebotomy due to medical reasons such as anemia or cardiopulmonary disorders. It is postulated such patients with PCT who have non-transfusion iron overload could benefit from treatment with deferasirox (Exjade®), a once daily oral iron chelator licensed in several countries, including the EU, for treating transfusion iron overload in adult and pediatric patients. Although there is some data on the efficacy and safety of deferasirox in patients with HH, who, like those with PCT, have non-transfusional iron overload, there is a need to evaluate the safety and efficacy of deferasirox treatment of non-transfusion iron overload in patients with PCT.

OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the effect of standard treatments on various predisposing factors in patients with porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT). II. Investigate alcohol history, smoking, liver dysfunction and its etiology, estrogen use, and family history of PCT in these patients. III. Study the relationships of excess iron and the hemochromatosis gene to PCT, including clinical features and risk of recurrence in these patients. IV. Assess hepatitis C virus infections in these patients. V. Assess vitamin C levels in these patients before and after treatment. VI. Assess dietary habits in these patients. VII. Assess activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP) in vivo in these patients. VIII. Study polymorphic genes for enzymes that metabolize foreign chemicals, including CYP enzymes and glutathione transferases in these patients.

Comparison of patients with documented PCT and HCV infection, documented PCT without HCV, HCV infection without PCT and controls without HCV or PCT. Single blood + urine sample uptake to investigate : mutations in HFE gene, uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase activity, HCV genotye, history of disease.