The Role of Dendritic Cells in Hepatitis C Infection

University College London (UCL)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Chronic Hepatitis C Infection

Treatments: Drug: Viraferon-peg and Rebetol

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; Industry

Identifier

NCT00723242

Details and patient eligibility

About

The role of the dendritic cells, the most potent antigen presenting cells, in the establishment of chronic hepatitis C is not established. The study aims to define whether the dendritic cells are affected by the hepatitis C virus and whether that bears an impact on the antiviral immune response they generate. The hypothesis is explored by investigating a group of patients prior to and after the initiation of standard treatment for hepatitis C with pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin.

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 70 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• anti-HCV positive
• HCV RNA positive

Exclusion criteria

• contraindications for antiviral treatment
• concurrent chronic viral infections