Differences in Evoked Intracellular Interferon Signaling Pathways Using Single Cell Phosphoprotein Profiling

Purpose: The purpose of this exploratory study is to evaluate phosphoprotein profiling to determine differences in the intracellular actions of interferon or interferon stimulated genes among people with different treatment outcomes to interferon based therapy for hepatitis C (HCV). Participants: Patients with genotype 1 HCV who have had interferon based therapy at the University of North Carolina (UNC). Procedures: Thirty patients with varied responses to treatment will be given a single subcutaneous injection of interferon alpha 2b. Prior to the injection and at 30 minutes, 1,2,4,6,12 and 20 hours after injection, blood will be drawn for analysis of phosphoprotein profiling and changes in serum cytokines.