Study of the Immune Response to Hepatitis C Virus

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects approximately 200 million people worldwide. About 30% of infected individuals do not require treatment to clear the virus, but the remainder can become chronically infected with HCV. Both resolution and protection correlate with the presence of HCV-specific T cells responses. The researchers believe that dendritic cells (DCs) play a role in determining how T-cells respond to the virus. They believe that the virus is able to modify the function of these cells causing the inactivation of T cells that would otherwise react with the virus. By characterizing the phenotype and function of DCs in both the patients who spontaneously resolve the infection and patients who become chronically infected the investigators hope to learn more about the pathogenesis of HCV.

People interested in participating in this study will have a complete history and general medical examinations before beginning the study. Testing for communicable diseases, including hepatitis B, syphilis and HIV will be done. If a disease is found you will be informed and offered counseling.

Following the screening, you will have a procedure called leukapheresis, in which white blood cells are removed, but your own red blood cells are returned. The procedure takes approximately 3 hours and is similar to blood donation. The leukapheresis is done during a same day admission to the hospital by an outside blood collection company with trained nurses and certified equipment.

Some aspects of this study are experimental which means the fluid and cells collected will be studied and analyzed to determine more precisely how your body's immune system is responding to the virus. These tests are experimental in that they are not part of the usual routine care of patients.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with confirmed HCV infection based on serologic studies and/or plasma HCV titers
• Individuals who have recovered from toxicity of any prior therapy and who have not had IFN-α and/or ribavirin therapy in the last 6 months
• Performance status: Karnofsky 70-100%
• Life expectancy of at least 12 months
• Hematology laboratory results of:

• WBC greater than 3,800/mm3
• Absolute lymphocytes greater than 1,500/mm3
• Platelets greater than 120,000/mm3
• Hb at least 9.5 g/dl
• INR < 1.5 IU

Exclusion criteria

• Patients who are currently on immunotherapy
• Individuals who are currently on antibiotics
• Individuals who have had chemotherapy within the last year for other medical conditions
• Individuals who have had corticosteroid treatment or radiotherapy within the last 4 weeks
• Individuals infected with HIV, syphilis or hepatitis B or with other serious uncontrolled medical illness
• People with currently active second malignancy other than non-melanoma skin cancer
• No history of vasculitis
• No alcohol or drug use or dependence that, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with adherence to study requirements
• No patients with decompensated cirrhosis
• No NYHA class III/IV status
• No severe debilitating pulmonary disease
• No psychiatric illness or social condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with adherence to study requirements