PEG-Interferon a-2b + Ribavirin for Treatment of Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C Who Have Previously Failed to Achieve a Sustained Virologic Response Following Interferon Alfa or Interferon a-2b + Ribavirin Therapy

HRN-003 STUDY SYNOPSIS OBJECTIVE: To compare the Sustained Virologic Response (SVR) of PEGIntron plus ribavirin among patients receiving a fixed dose of PEGIntron versus weighted-adjusted dosing. OVERVIEW OF STUDY DESIGN: This is a multi-center, randomized, open-label clinical trial using PEGIntron weight-adjusted dose by subcutaneous injection weekly + ribavirin by mouth twice daily for 48 weeks OR PEGIntron fixed dose by subcutaneous injection weekly + ribavirin by mouth twice daily for 48 weeks. STUDY POPULATION: 600 Adult patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection who have previously failed to achieve a sustained virologic response following interferon alfa or interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin therapy. DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION: Eligible participants will be randomized to receive PEGIntron weight-adjusted dose (1.5 mg/kg) by subcutaneous injection weekly + ribavirin 400 mg by mouth twice daily for 48 weeks OR PEGIntron fixed dose (150 mg if weight \> than 80 kg or 100 mg if weight \< 80 KG) by subcutaneous injection weekly + ribavirin 400 mg by mouth twice daily for 48 weeks. EFFICACY EVALUATIONS: Laboratory analysis, quality of life assessments, and change in study medication doses will be obtained. SAFETY EVALUATIONS: Assessment of laboratory evaluations, vital signs, incidence and severity of adverse experiences and progression of disease, as measured by HCV viral load. STUDY DESIGN This is a treatment protocol to evaluate the antiviral efficacy, safety and tolerability polyethylene glycol (PEG) conjugated interferon alfa-2b (PEGIntron) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection in patients who have previously failed to achieve a sustained virologic response following interferon alfa or interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin therapy. Patients will be stratified according to their response to the previous course of therapy (i.e. non-reponse or relapse virologic pattern This is a multi-center, randomized, open-label clinical trial that