HCV Treatment With Fluvastatin, Simvastatin to Improve Interferon Sensitivity

An Investigator-initiated Pilot Study Using Statins to Improve the Anti-HCV Response to Peginterferon Alfa 2-b and Ribavirin in Previous Non-responders

Objective: The goal is to improve peginterferon sensitivity in previous poor responders. "Sensitivity" here means the host's ability to kill more HCV.

Design: Twenty poor responders to prior PIFN/RBV will be given 48 weeks of statin monotherapy. Veterans and civilians between the ages of 18 and 70 are eligible.

Inclusion Criteria:

Hepatitis C positive by HCV RNA within 180 days. - No anti-HCV medicine within 30 days of screening

Exclusion Criteria:

• decompensated liver disease
• severe cardiac disease (ejection fraction < 20% or uncontrolled angina)
• unexplained muscle pain at time of screening
• pregnancy
• renal insufficiency (creatine clearance < 50 ml/min)