EXtended Therapy in Hepatitis C Genotype 3 Infected Patients

Chronic Hepatitis C Clinical Trial

— EXACT-R(3)  

Official title:

EXtended Therapy in Genotype 3 Infected Patients Who do Not AChieve a Treatment Response at Week 4 (RVR) But do Achieve a Complete Early Virologic Response (cEVR)

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Terminated

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT01095445
• Other study ID #: EXACT-R(3)
• Status: Terminated
• Phase: Phase 3
• First received: March 26, 2010
• Last updated: September 27, 2011
• Start date: February 2010
• Est. completion date: June 2011

Study information

• Verified date: March 2010
• Source: University Health Network, Toronto
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: Canada: Health Canada
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of 48 vs 24 weeks of treatment with Peginterferon alfa-2b plus weight-based ribavirin on Sustained Virologic Response (SVR) and relapse rates in patients infected with genotype 3 chronic hepatitis C (CHC) who do not achieve a Rapid Virologic Response (RVR) but attain a complete Early Virologic Response (cEVR).

Description:

This study plans to address the issue of whether increasing the duration of therapy from 24 weeks to 48 weeks with PegIFNα2b 1.5mg/kg/week and using weight-based ribavirin (15mg/kg) may reduce relapse rates and thereby increase SVR rates in patients infected with genotype 3 who fail to achieve an RVR but do achieve a complete cEVR defined as undetectable HCV RNA (ie. <50 or <15 IU/ml by 12 weeks). This study is necessary because although most patients with genotype 3 ultimately become HCV RNA undetectable during treatment, relapse after discontinuation of therapy remains a major cause of failure to achieve SVR. This is a very important issue given that to date none of the new small molecule drugs appear effective against genotype 3 meaning that at the present time patients with genotype 3 infection have no other options. Relapse is particularly common in patients with advanced liver disease but it has been shown that if SVR can be achieved in patients with advanced disease, the risk of liver failure is significantly reduced, as may be the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As a consequence the need for liver transplantation is diminished and survival is improved. Identifying strategies to reduce relapse and improve rates of SVR are therefore critical.

Certain individuals are at greater risk of infection with genotype 3. In the Western world, the main risk groups are current or former drug users (IDU) and immigrants raised in South Asia (India and Pakistan) where infection likely occurs early in childhood due to exposure to contaminated instruments, needles, etc.

A second potential benefit of achieving SVR is reduction in the rate of diabetes. Diabetes has been demonstrated to be more common in those infected with Hepatitis C than in the general population - this observation was made by examination of the NHANES population based database. The prelude to the development of Type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance. Insulin resistance (IR) is present in about one third of patients chronically infected with HCV - the rate being highest in those with cirrhosis and in those who are overweight or obese. Early data indicates that although the presence of insulin resistance impairs interferon responsiveness if SVR can be achieved, insulin resistance is lost. Studies of IR in individuals infected with genotype 3 HCV are lacking. Independent of HCV infection, being born South Asian is a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes.

The issue of insulin resistance and the effectiveness of antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis C has been addressed exclusively in Caucasians infected with genotype 1. Recent data from Japan indicates that in patients with diabetes and hepatitis C successful eradication of HCV RNA may simultaneously prevent subsequent diabetes and presumably the systemic complications of this disease.

There is little data on the rate of RVR in the South Asian population as few therapeutic trials in patients with genotype 3 infections have been reported from Pakistan and India. Estimates can only be obtained from studies performed in Caucasians from Northern Europe and North America. In the trial by Shiffman the rate of RVR in those with genotype 3 infection was 62% and preliminary report from the trial of Albuferon in those with genotype 2 and 3 indicate RVR rates ranged from 44-60% in Asians -this figure included all Asians.

There are several reasons to specifically address ways to improve the outcome of antiviral therapy in patients infected with genotype 3 CHC. Firstly virtually all treatment studies report on a combined rate of SVR achieved in genotypes 2 and 3 even though the evidence has suggested that the response to therapy is different between these two genotypes. Within populations of patients with genotype 3 infection, there may be differences as well. South Asians are predominantly infected with genotype 3a, while injection drug users typically have genotype 3b infection. There are no formal trials published in the English literature of antiviral therapy in South Asians or comparing subtypes of genotype 3.

In patients infected with genotype 1 slow response to antiviral therapy i.e. lack of RVR, is associated with a significantly higher rate of relapse in those who go on to achieve undetectable HCV RNA at 12 weeks rather than at 4 weeks into treatment. Extending treatment for a further six months reduces this relapse rate considerably. By extending treatment in patients infected with genotype 3 who had previously relapsed following only 14 weeks of therapy to 24 weeks reduced relapse rates. Thus, it is anticipated that by extending treatment from 24 to 48 weeks in those who fail to achieve a RVR (i.e. slow responders) but who do achieve a complete EVR we hope to prevent relapse off treatment. A potential added benefit of achieving SVR in this patient population, many of whom are already at high risk of T2DM, is that it may reduce the virally mediated component of IR.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Terminated
• Enrollment: 2
• Est. completion date: June 2011
• Est. primary completion date: June 2011
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: Both
• Age group: 18 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Infected with only genotype 3, hepatitis C

• Treatment naïve before current course of therapy

• A positive HCV RNA test result at Week 4 (no RVR)

• A negative HCV RNA test result at Week 12 (cEVR)

• A recent liver biopsy (within 3 years prior to study entry) is required. If the patient has either liver biopsy proven cirrhosis in the past or has splenomegaly with features of cirrhosis on ultrasound and/or thrombocytopenia (<150x109/ml) at any time in the past or has a Fibroscan reading of 10 or above or has a Fibrotest score of 0.75 or above (equivalent to F3 on the METAVIR scale), a biopsy will not be required. A copy of the latest report must be available.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Under age 18

• Co-infection with HIV or Hepatitis B or any other HCV genotype in addition to genotype 3

• Prior treatment for Hepatitis C aside from herbal remedies

• Evidence of decompensated liver disease, such as ascites, bleeding varices, hepatic encephalopathy or jaundice (conjugated hyperbilirubinemia)

• INR > 1.3 at baseline

• Platelet count <70 X 109/µl at baseline

• Those subjects with diabetes and/or systemic hypertension will need to have ocular examinations (as per standard of care [SOC]) prior to treatment and will be excluded if they are found to have a diabetic retinopathy, optic nerve disorders, retinal hemorrhage or any other clinically significant abnormality

• Pre-existing psychiatric conditions including:

• Current moderate or severe depression despite appropriate therapy.

• Active suicidal ideation or previous attempt at suicide

• Patients with a history of severe psychiatric disorder (may be included if so desired by the investigator but pretreatment psychiatric evaluation is required (SOC)).

• Clinical diagnosis of current substance abuse: Alcohol (>40g/d), injection drugs, inhalational drugs (not including marijuana), psychotropics, narcotics, cocaine use, prescription or over the counter drugs within one year of the screening visit.

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Chronic Hepatitis C
• Hepatitis
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis C
• Hepatitis C, Chronic
• Hepatitis, Chronic

Intervention

Drug:
• Peginterferon alfa-2b (Pegetron) plus ribavirin (Rebetol)
Dosage Form: Pegetron - powder for solution; Rebetol - capsules Strength: Pegetron Redipen - 120 mcg per pen; Rebetol - 200 mg Route of Administration: Pegetron - subcutaneous; Rebetol - oral

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Canada	Calgary Heart Centre	Calgary	Alberta
Canada	Hys Med Centre	Edmonton	Alberta
Canada	Hotel Dieu Hospital	Kingston	Ontario
Canada	London Health Sciences Centre	London	Ontario
Canada	Credit Valley Med Arts Centre	Mississauga	Ontario
Canada	Dr. Dalia El-Ashry clinic	Mississauga	Ontario
Canada	SMBD Jewish Gen Hosp	Montreal	Quebec
Canada	Toronto General Hospital - Dr. M. Sherman	Toronto	Ontario
Canada	Toronto Western Hospital - Liver Clinic	Toronto	Ontario
Canada	Dr. John D Farley Medical Office	Vancouver	British Columbia
Canada	Liver and Intestinal Research Centre	Vancouver	British Columbia
Canada	Pacific Gastroenterology Assoc	Vancouver	British Columbia

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University Health Network, Toronto	Schering-Plough

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Canada, 

References & Publications (24)

Arase Y, Suzuki F, Suzuki Y, Akuta N, Kobayashi M, Kawamura Y, Yatsuji H, Sezaki H, Hosaka T, Hirakawa M, Ikeda K, Kumada H. Sustained virological response reduces incidence of onset of type 2 diabetes in chronic hepatitis C. Hepatology. 2009 Mar;49(3):739-44. doi: 10.1002/hep.22703. — View Citation

Bain VG, Kaita KD, Marotta P, Yoshida EM, Swain MG, Bailey RJ, Patel K, Cronin PW, Pulkstenis E, McHutchison JG, Subramanian GM. Safety and antiviral activity of albinterferon alfa-2b dosed every four weeks in genotype 2/3 chronic hepatitis C patients. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008 Jun;6(6):701-6. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2008.02.056. Epub 2008 May 7. — View Citation

Dalgard O, Bjøro K, Hellum KB, Myrvang B, Ritland S, Skaug K, Raknerud N, Bell H. Treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavarin in HCV infection with genotype 2 or 3 for 14 weeks: a pilot study. Hepatology. 2004 Dec;40(6):1260-5. — View Citation

Dalgard O, Bjøro K, Ring-Larsen H, Bjornsson E, Holberg-Petersen M, Skovlund E, Reichard O, Myrvang B, Sundelöf B, Ritland S, Hellum K, Frydén A, Florholmen J, Verbaan H; North-C Group. Pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin for 14 versus 24 weeks in patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 2 or 3 and rapid virological response. Hepatology. 2008 Jan;47(1):35-42. — View Citation

Everhart JE, Lok AS, Kim HY, Morgan TR, Lindsay KL, Chung RT, Bonkovsky HL, Ghany MG; HALT-C Trial Group. Weight-related effects on disease progression in the hepatitis C antiviral long-term treatment against cirrhosis trial. Gastroenterology. 2009 Aug;137(2):549-57. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2009.05.007. Epub 2009 May 13. — View Citation

Farooqi JI, Farooqi RJ. Conventional interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin for 12 versus 24 weeks in HCV genotype 2 or 3. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2008 Oct;18(10):620-4. doi: 10.2008/JCPSP.620624. — View Citation

Hadziyannis SJ, Sette H Jr, Morgan TR, Balan V, Diago M, Marcellin P, Ramadori G, Bodenheimer H Jr, Bernstein D, Rizzetto M, Zeuzem S, Pockros PJ, Lin A, Ackrill AM; PEGASYS International Study Group. Peginterferon-alpha2a and ribavirin combination therapy in chronic hepatitis C: a randomized study of treatment duration and ribavirin dose. Ann Intern Med. 2004 Mar 2;140(5):346-55. — View Citation

Idrees M, Riazuddin S. Frequency distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in different geographical regions of Pakistan and their possible routes of transmission. BMC Infect Dis. 2008 May 23;8:69. doi: 10.1186/1471-2334-8-69. — View Citation

Lagging M, Langeland N, Pedersen C, Färkkilä M, Buhl MR, Mørch K, Dhillon AP, Alsiö A, Hellstrand K, Westin J, Norkrans G; NORDynamIC Study Group. Randomized comparison of 12 or 24 weeks of peginterferon alpha-2a and ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 2/3 infection. Hepatology. 2008 Jun;47(6):1837-45. doi: 10.1002/hep.22253. — View Citation

Mangia A, Minerva N, Bacca D, Cozzolongo R, Agostinacchio E, Sogari F, Scotto G, Vinelli F, Ricci GL, Romano M, Carretta V, Petruzzellis D, Andriulli A. Determinants of relapse after a short (12 weeks) course of antiviral therapy and re-treatment efficacy of a prolonged course in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 2 or 3 infection. Hepatology. 2009 Feb;49(2):358-63. doi: 10.1002/hep.22679. — View Citation

Mangia A, Santoro R, Minerva N, Ricci GL, Carretta V, Persico M, Vinelli F, Scotto G, Bacca D, Annese M, Romano M, Zechini F, Sogari F, Spirito F, Andriulli A. Peginterferon alfa-2b and ribavirin for 12 vs. 24 weeks in HCV genotype 2 or 3. N Engl J Med. 2005 Jun 23;352(25):2609-17. — View Citation

Mathias RA, Deepa M, Deepa R, Wilson AF, Mohan V. Heritability of quantitative traits associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus in large multiplex families from South India. Metabolism. 2009 Oct;58(10):1439-45. doi: 10.1016/j.metabol.2009.04.041. Epub 2009 Jul 1. — View Citation

Mehta SH, Brancati FL, Strathdee SA, Pankow JS, Netski D, Coresh J, Szklo M, Thomas DL. Hepatitis C virus infection and incident type 2 diabetes. Hepatology. 2003 Jul;38(1):50-6. — View Citation

Moucari R, Asselah T, Cazals-Hatem D, Voitot H, Boyer N, Ripault MP, Sobesky R, Martinot-Peignoux M, Maylin S, Nicolas-Chanoine MH, Paradis V, Vidaud M, Valla D, Bedossa P, Marcellin P. Insulin resistance in chronic hepatitis C: association with genotypes 1 and 4, serum HCV RNA level, and liver fibrosis. Gastroenterology. 2008 Feb;134(2):416-23. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2007.11.010. Epub 2007 Nov 12. — View Citation

Pearlman BL, Ehleben C, Saifee S. Treatment extension to 72 weeks of peginterferon and ribavirin in hepatitis c genotype 1-infected slow responders. Hepatology. 2007 Dec;46(6):1688-94. — View Citation

Peng JS, Wang X, Liu MQ, Zhou DJ, Gong J, Xu HM, Chen JP, Zhu HH, Zhou W, Ho WZ. Genetic variation of hepatitis C virus in a cohort of injection heroin users in Wuhan, China. Virus Res. 2008 Jul;135(1):191-6. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2008.01.017. Epub 2008 Mar 18. — View Citation

Powis J, Peltekian KM, Lee SS, Sherman M, Bain VG, Cooper C, Krajden M, Deschenes M, Balshaw RF, Heathcote EJ, Yoshida EM; Canadian Pegasys Study Group. Exploring differences in response to treatment with peginterferon alpha 2a (40kD) and ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C between genotypes 2 and 3. J Viral Hepat. 2008 Jan;15(1):52-7. — View Citation

Romero-Gómez M, Del Mar Viloria M, Andrade RJ, Salmerón J, Diago M, Fernández-Rodríguez CM, Corpas R, Cruz M, Grande L, Vázquez L, Muñoz-De-Rueda P, López-Serrano P, Gila A, Gutiérrez ML, Pérez C, Ruiz-Extremera A, Suárez E, Castillo J. Insulin resistance impairs sustained response rate to peginterferon plus ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C patients. Gastroenterology. 2005 Mar;128(3):636-41. — View Citation

Sherman M, Shafran S, Burak K, Doucette K, Wong W, Girgrah N, Yoshida E, Renner E, Wong P, Deschênes M. Management of chronic hepatitis C: consensus guidelines. Can J Gastroenterol. 2007 Jun;21 Suppl C:25C-34C. — View Citation

Shiffman ML, Suter F, Bacon BR, Nelson D, Harley H, Solá R, Shafran SD, Barange K, Lin A, Soman A, Zeuzem S; ACCELERATE Investigators. Peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin for 16 or 24 weeks in HCV genotype 2 or 3. N Engl J Med. 2007 Jul 12;357(2):124-34. — View Citation

Veldt BJ, Heathcote EJ, Wedemeyer H, Reichen J, Hofmann WP, Zeuzem S, Manns MP, Hansen BE, Schalm SW, Janssen HL. Sustained virologic response and clinical outcomes in patients with chronic hepatitis C and advanced fibrosis. Ann Intern Med. 2007 Nov 20;147(10):677-84. — View Citation

Vigani AG, Pavan MH, Tozzo R, Gonçales ES, Feltrin A, Fais VC, Lazarini MS, Gonçales NS, Gonçales FL Jr. Comparative study of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection due to genotypes 1 and 3 referred for treatment in southeast Brazil. BMC Infect Dis. 2008 Dec 4;8:164. doi: 10.1186/1471-2334-8-164. — View Citation

von Wagner M, Huber M, Berg T, Hinrichsen H, Rasenack J, Heintges T, Bergk A, Bernsmeier C, Häussinger D, Herrmann E, Zeuzem S. Peginterferon-alpha-2a (40KD) and ribavirin for 16 or 24 weeks in patients with genotype 2 or 3 chronic hepatitis C. Gastroenterology. 2005 Aug;129(2):522-7. — View Citation

Zeuzem S, Hultcrantz R, Bourliere M, Goeser T, Marcellin P, Sanchez-Tapias J, Sarrazin C, Harvey J, Brass C, Albrecht J. Peginterferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin for treatment of chronic hepatitis C in previously untreated patients infected with HCV genotypes 2 or 3. J Hepatol. 2004 Jun;40(6):993-9. Erratum in: J Hepatol. 2005 Mar;42(3):434. — View Citation

* Note: There are 24 references in all — Click here to view all references

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	End of treatment response	Undetectable hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA at 24 weeks following end of therapy	24 weeks following end of therapy	No
Secondary	Relapse rate	Undetectable HCV RNA at end of treatment but detectable HCV RNA at 24 weeks following end of therapy	24 weeks following end of therapy	No