Japanese Pegylated Interferon (PegIFN) Alfa-2b/Ribavirin (RBV) Combination Trial
Condition: Hepatitis C
MeSH terms: Hepatitis C; Hepatitis
Intervention: BI 201335 high dose; BI 201335 low dose; BI 201335 high dose; BI 201335 high dose
Intervention description: BI 201335 high dose with PegIFN/RBV; BI 201335 low dose with PegIFN/RBV; BI 201335 high dose with PegIFN/RBV; BI 201335 high dose with PegIFN/RBV
Phase: Phase 3
Study type: Interventional
Primary purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double
Enrollment: 131.0
Sex: All
Minimum age: 20 Years
Maximum age: 70 Years
Healthy volunteers: No

Summary:

      The aim of this trial is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of BI 201335 given for 12 or 24
      weeks in combination with PegIFN alfa-2b/RBV given for 24 or 48 weeks in chronic genotype 1
      hepatitis C virus infected treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced Japanese patients
    

Eligibility criteria:

        Inclusion criteria:

          1. Chronic hepatitis C infection, diagnosed by positive anti-HCV antibodies and detected
             HCV RNA at screening in addition to:

               -  positive anti-HCV antibodies or detected HCV RNA at least 6 months before
                  screening; or,

               -  liver biopsy consistent with chronic HCV infection.

          2. HCV genotype 1 infection confirmed by genotypic testing at screening

          3. (For Cohort 1 only) Therapy-naïve to interferon, pegylated interferon, and ribavirin
             (For Cohort 2 only) Confirmed prior virological failure (null response, partial
             response, breakthrough or relapse) with an approved dose of PegIFN alfa/RBV or IFN
             beta/RBV for at least 12 weeks and with an 8-week washout period before screening

          4. HCV RNA = 100,000 IU/mL at screening

          5. Documentation of a liver biopsy within 3 years or fibroscan within 6 months before
             randomization (Visit 2)

          6. Age 20 to 70 years

          7. Female patients who are infertile or who are of childbearing potential with a negative
             pregnancy test and agreeing to use one accepted method of birth control in addition to
             the use of a condom by their male partners.

             or Male patients who are infertile, who are without pregnant female partners or who
             consistently and correctly use condoms.

          8. Signed informed consent form before trial participation

        Exclusion criteria:

          1. HCV infection of mixed genotype (1/2, 1/3, and 1/4) diagnosed by genotypic testing at
             screening,

          2. Evidence of acute or chronic liver disease due to causes other than chronic HCV
             infection. Steatosis diagnosed incidentally (e.g. by biopsy) without clinical
             relevance is not an exclusion criterion.

          3. HIV co-infection,

          4. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection based on presence of hepatitis B surface antigen
             (HBsAg),

          5. Active malignancy, or history of malignancy within the last 5 years prior to screening
             (with an exception of appropriately treated basal cell carcinoma of the skin or in
             situ carcinoma of the uterine cervix),

          6. Active or, history of alcohol or illicit drug abuse within the past 12 months,

          7. A condition that is defined as one which in the opinion of investigator may put the
             patient at risk because of participation in this study, may influence the results of
             this study, or limit the patient's ability to participate in this study,

          8. Usage of any investigational drugs within 30 days prior to screening, or planned usage
             of an investigational drug during the course of this study,

          9. Received concomitant systemic antiviral, hematopoietic growth factor, or
             immunomodulatory treatment within 30 days prior to screening. Patients being treated
             with oral antivirals such as acyclovir, famciclovir or valacyclovir for recurrent
             herpes simplex infection; or with oseltamivir or zanamivir for influenza A infection,
             may be screened,

         10. Received silymarin (milk thistle), glycyrrhizin (Stronger Neo-Minophagen C; SNMC), or
             Sho-saiko-to (SST) within 28 days prior to randomization (Visit 2) and throughout the
             treatment phase of this trial,

         11. (For Cohort 2 only) Patients who have been previously treated with at least one dose
             of any antiviral or immunomodulatory drug other than (pegylated) interferon alfa,
             interferon beta or ribavirin for acute or chronic HCV infection including and not
             restricted to protease or polymerase inhibitors,

         12. Known hypersensitivity to any ingredient of the study drugs,

         13. Alpha fetoprotein value >100 ng/mL at screening; if >20 ng/mL and =100 ng/mL, patients
             may be included if there is no evidence of liver cancer in an appropriate imaging
             study (e.g., ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI) within last 6 months prior to randomization
             (Visit 2),

        Other exclusion criteria related to pegylated interferon and/or ribavirin restrictions are
        not listed here.