Peginterferon Dose Evaluations for Previously Untreated Subjects With Chronic Hepatitis C Infected With Genotype 1 (Study P03471)

The objective is to compare the safety and efficacy of the following three treatment regimens in previously untreated adult subjects with chronic hepatitis C infected with Genotype 1: (1) PegIntron 1.5 µg/kg/wk in combination with weight based REBETOL (800-1400 mg/day); (2) PegIntron 1µg/kg/wk in combination with weight based REBETOL (800-1400 mg/day); and (3) PEGASYS 180 µg/wk plus COPEGUS 1000-1200 mg/day.

PegIntron Dose will be administered once weekly subcutaneously on the same day of the week:

Screening 2 Weight 40-50 kg Volume to Inject (mL) 0.22; Screening 2 Weight 51-60 kg Volume to Inject (mL) 0.28; Screening 2 Weight 61-75 kg Volume to Inject (mL) 0.33; Screening 2 Weight 76-85 kg Volume to Inject (mL) 0.41; Screening 2 Weight 86-104 kg Volume to Inject (mL) 0.48; Screening 2 Weight 105-125 kg Volume to Inject (mL) 0.58 from two vials

REBETOL Dosage (for Use With PegIntron):

Screening 2 Weight 40-65 kg Daily Dose 800 mg; Screening 2 Weight \>65-85 kg Daily Dose 1000 mg; Screening 2 Weight \>85-105 kg Daily Dose 1200 mg; Screening 2 Weight \>105-125 kg Daily Dose 1400 mg

The PEGASYS dose of 1 mL (180 µg) will be administered once weekly subcutaneously on the same day of the week

COPEGUS Dosage (for Use With PEGASYS):

Screening 2 Weight \<75 kg Daily Dose 1000 mg; Screening 2 Weight \> or = 75 kg Daily Dose 1200mg

NOTE: Double Blind for PegIntron; Open Label for REBETOL, PEGASYS and COPEGUS

NOTE: REBETOL is the Schering-Plough brand name for ribavirin. COPEGUS is the Hoffman-La Roche brand name for ribavirin.

Eligibility Criteria:
INCLUSION CRITERIA:

* Previously untreated adults with chronic hepatitis C (hepatitis C virus ribonucleic acid \[HCV RNA\] quantitative polymerase chain reaction \[qPCR\] plasma positive)
* Individuals with HCV genotype 1 (mixed 1a/1b is acceptable)
* Compensated liver disease
* Pretreatment liver biopsy slides available
* Adults aged 18-70
* Individuals weighing 88-275 pounds (40-125 kg)
* Free from substance abuse for past 2 years
* Those suffering from diabetes and/or hypertension must have normal eye exams and retinal photographs (these will be done as part of the study before hepatitis C treatment is given)
* Patients and partners of patients willing to use adequate contraception during the course of the study
* Hematology laboratory results of:

  * Hemoglobin (HGB) ≥ 12 g/dL for females or ≥ 13g/dL for males
  * White Blood Cell Count (WBC) ≥ 3,000/mm\^3
  * Neutrophils ≥ 1,500/mm\^3
  * Platelets ≥ 80,000/mm\^3
* Chemistry laboratory results of:

  * Normal Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), albumin, creatinine, and direct bilirubin
  * Antinuclear antibody (ANA) ≤ 1:320
  * Fasting Glucose 70-140 mg/dL Note: If glucose levels are between 116-140 mg/dL or an individual has diabetes, glycosylated hemoglobin \[HbA1C\] must be ≤ 8.5%

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

* Previous hepatitis C treatment
* Pregnant women or partners of pregnant women
* Patients or partners of patients who intend to become pregnant any time during the 48 weeks
* Women who are breastfeeding
* Individuals with liver disease not caused by hepatitis C
* Individuals infected with the hepatitis B virus and/or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
* Patients with a history of liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma)
* Known blood disorders such as hemoglobinopathy, coagulopathy, or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase \[G6PD\] deficiency
* Body organ transplant
* Any known or suspected cancer within the past 5 years
* Individuals who currently use epoetin \[EPO\], granulocyte colony stimulating factor \[G-CSF\] and/or granulocyte monocyte colony stimulating factor \[GM-CSF\]
* Those having a history of or active clinical gout
* Individuals who have chronic pulmonary disease
* Individuals who have a medical condition that would likely require systemic steroids
* Those with a history of central nervous system (CNS trauma) or seizure disorders
* Current or previous use of lithium or antipsychotic drugs
* Individuals who currently have or show signs of moderate to severe depression or history of significant psychiatric disorders
* Patients with clinically significant electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities
* Individuals with serious heart problems such as those who have had a heart attack, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or other heart problems
* Patients that weigh \> 231-275 pounds (105-125 kg) AND have a body mass index (BMI) \> 30 AND have 3 or more of the risk factors below: (a) Strong family history of coronary heart disease (CHD) which includes 2 or more first-degree relatives with CHD or family history of early CHD at age \< 55 for male relatives or \< 65 for female relatives (b) Individuals with abnormal total cholesterol and/or sub fractions (uncontrolled hypercholesterolemia) (c) Diabetes (d) Hypertension (e) Smoking