Trial Outcomes & Findings for Evaluation of Peginterferon Alfa-2b Monotherapy and Combination With Ribavirin in Participants With Acute Hepatitis C (P03552/MK-4031-137) (NCT NCT00686517)

NCT ID: NCT00686517

Last Updated: 2017-04-05

Results Overview

SR was defined as serum Hepatitis C Virus (HCV RNA) level at the end of 6-month follow-up below 15 IU/mL.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

PHASE3

Target enrollment

130 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Evaluated at the end of 6 months

Results posted on

2017-04-05

Participant Flow

130 participants were randomized to pegylated-interferon alpha-2b at the dose of 1.5 mcg/kg/week for 24 weeks (PEG-IFN 24), pegylated-interferon alpha-2b at the dose of 1.5 mcg/kg/week for 12 weeks (PEG-IFN 12), or pegylated-interferon alpha-2b at the dose of 1.5 mcg/kg/week + ribavirin at the dose of 10.6 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks (PEG-IFN + RVB 12).

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
PEG-IFN 24
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week for 24 weeks
PEG-IFN 12
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week for 12 weeks
PEG-IFN + RVB 12
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week in combination with ribavirin 10.6 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks
Treatment
STARTED
44
43
43
Treatment
Completed Final Treatment Visit
44
43
43
Treatment
COMPLETED
38
40
42
Treatment
NOT COMPLETED
6
3
1
Follow-up
STARTED
37
38
39
Follow-up
COMPLETED
29
28
29
Follow-up
NOT COMPLETED
8
10
10

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
PEG-IFN 24
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week for 24 weeks
PEG-IFN 12
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week for 12 weeks
PEG-IFN + RVB 12
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week in combination with ribavirin 10.6 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks
Treatment
Serious Adverse Event
1
2
1
Treatment
Adverse Event
2
0
0
Treatment
Poor Protocol Compliance
1
0
0
Treatment
Protocol Violation
2
1
0

Baseline Characteristics

Evaluation of Peginterferon Alfa-2b Monotherapy and Combination With Ribavirin in Participants With Acute Hepatitis C (P03552/MK-4031-137)

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
PEG-IFN 24
n=44 Participants
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week for 24 weeks
PEG-IFN 12
n=43 Participants
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week for 12 weeks
PEG-IFN + RVB 12
n=43 Participants
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week in combination with ribavirin 10.6 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks
Total
n=130 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
36.55 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.86 • n=5 Participants
38.32 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.95 • n=7 Participants
38.52 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.48 • n=5 Participants
37.79 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.37 • n=4 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
15 Participants
n=5 Participants
16 Participants
n=7 Participants
6 Participants
n=5 Participants
37 Participants
n=4 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
29 Participants
n=5 Participants
27 Participants
n=7 Participants
37 Participants
n=5 Participants
93 Participants
n=4 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Italy
44 participants
n=5 Participants
43 participants
n=7 Participants
43 participants
n=5 Participants
130 participants
n=4 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Evaluated at the end of 6 months

Population: Intent-to-treat population (ITT): including all randomized participants who received at least one dose of study medication. Participants without measurements at the end of treatment or who discontinued the study for any reason before the end of the treatment were considered as non-responders.

SR was defined as serum Hepatitis C Virus (HCV RNA) level at the end of 6-month follow-up below 15 IU/mL.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
PEG-IFN 24
n=44 Participants
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week for 24 weeks
PEG-IFN 12
n=43 Participants
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week for 12 weeks
PEG-IFN + RVB 12
n=43 Participants
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week in combination with ribavirin 10.6 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks
Number of Participants With Sustained Response (SR) at the End of the 6-month Follow-up Period
23 participants
20 participants
21 participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: At the end of treatment (either 12 weeks or 24 weeks depending on randomization).

Population: Intent-to-treat population (ITT): including all randomized participants who received at least one dose of study medication. Participants without measurements at the end of treatment or who discontinued the study for any reason before the end of the treatment were considered as non-responders.

ETR was achieved if serum HCV RNA level at the end of 12 or 24 weeks treatment (depending on treatment arm) was \<15 IU/mL.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
PEG-IFN 24
n=44 Participants
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week for 24 weeks
PEG-IFN 12
n=43 Participants
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week for 12 weeks
PEG-IFN + RVB 12
n=43 Participants
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week in combination with ribavirin 10.6 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks
Virologic Response at the End of Treatment Follow-up (ETR)
26 participants
28 participants
27 participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: At 12 months post-treatment (treatment period either 12 weeks or 24 weeks depending on randomization).

Population: Intent-to-treat population (ITT): including all randomized participants who received at least one dose of study medication. Participants without measurements at the end of treatment or who discontinued the study for any reason before the end of the treatment were considered as non-responders.

LTR was obtained if serum HCV RNA level at the end of 12-month follow-up was \<15 IU/mL.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
PEG-IFN 24
n=44 Participants
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week for 24 weeks
PEG-IFN 12
n=43 Participants
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week for 12 weeks
PEG-IFN + RVB 12
n=43 Participants
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week in combination with ribavirin 10.6 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks
Virologic Response at 12 Months Post-treatment Follow-up (Long-term Response, [LTR]).
20 participants
19 participants
19 participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Evaluated at end of treatment (either 12 weeks or 24 weeks, depending on randomization), at 6-month follow-up visit, or at 12-month follow-up visit.

Population: Intent-to-treat population (ITT): including all randomized participants who received at least one dose of study medication. Participants without measurements at the end of treatment or who discontinued the study for any reason before the end of the treatment were considered as non-responders.

ALT normalization was used as a measure of biochemical response to treatment. ALT levels were assessed at each study visit by the local laboratory, and efficacy measurements at the end of treatment, at 6 and 12 months post treatment follow-up were reported.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
PEG-IFN 24
n=44 Participants
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week for 24 weeks
PEG-IFN 12
n=43 Participants
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week for 12 weeks
PEG-IFN + RVB 12
n=43 Participants
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week in combination with ribavirin 10.6 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks
Number of Participants Presenting With Alanine Transferase (ALT) Level Normalization
12-month Follow-up Period
27 participants
23 participants
23 participants
Number of Participants Presenting With Alanine Transferase (ALT) Level Normalization
End of Treatment
28 participants
31 participants
32 participants
Number of Participants Presenting With Alanine Transferase (ALT) Level Normalization
6-month Follow-up Period
31 participants
27 participants
28 participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Evaluated at 2 and 4 weeks of treatment

Population: Intent-to-treat population (ITT): including all randomized participants who received at least one dose of study medication. Participants without measurements at the end of treatment or who discontinued the study for any reason before the end of the treatment were considered as non-responders.

Participants were considered to have RVR if serum HCV RNA level at 2 or 4 weeks of treatment was below the cut off value of the referring local laboratory of each participating site.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
PEG-IFN 24
n=44 Participants
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week for 24 weeks
PEG-IFN 12
n=43 Participants
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week for 12 weeks
PEG-IFN + RVB 12
n=43 Participants
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week in combination with ribavirin 10.6 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks
Number of Participants With Rapid Virologic Response (RVR)
2 weeks after start of treatment
24 participants
25 participants
23 participants
Number of Participants With Rapid Virologic Response (RVR)
4 weeks after start of treatment
28 participants
35 participants
34 participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Treatment Weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12

Population: The association between HCV specific immune and SR to be assessed applying descriptive methods could not be evaluated as PBMC measurements were not carried out.

Cellular Differentiation Cluster Antigen 8-Positive (CD8+) PBMCs were measured at randomization, Treatment Weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12.

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

Adverse Events

PEG-IFN 12

Serious events: 3 serious events
Other events: 37 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

PEG-IFN 24

Serious events: 4 serious events
Other events: 43 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

PEG-IFN + RVB 12

Serious events: 4 serious events
Other events: 42 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Serious adverse events
Measure
PEG-IFN 12
n=43 participants at risk
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week for 12 weeks
PEG-IFN 24
n=44 participants at risk
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week for 24 weeks
PEG-IFN + RVB 12
n=43 participants at risk
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week in combination with ribavirin 10.6 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks
Ear and labyrinth disorders
HypoAcusis
2.3%
1/43 • Number of events 1
0.00%
0/44
0.00%
0/43
Endocrine disorders
Autoimmune thyroiditis
0.00%
0/43
2.3%
1/44 • Number of events 1
0.00%
0/43
Gastrointestinal disorders
Diarrhea
0.00%
0/43
2.3%
1/44 • Number of events 1
0.00%
0/43
Gastrointestinal disorders
Vomiting
0.00%
0/43
2.3%
1/44 • Number of events 1
0.00%
0/43
Infections and infestations
Dacryocystitis
0.00%
0/43
0.00%
0/44
2.3%
1/43 • Number of events 1
Infections and infestations
Wound Infection
0.00%
0/43
2.3%
1/44 • Number of events 1
0.00%
0/43
Investigations
Transaminases Increased
2.3%
1/43 • Number of events 1
0.00%
0/44
0.00%
0/43
Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps)
Lung Neoplasm Malignant
0.00%
0/43
0.00%
0/44
2.3%
1/43 • Number of events 1
Nervous system disorders
Headache
2.3%
1/43 • Number of events 1
0.00%
0/44
0.00%
0/43
Nervous system disorders
Optic Neuritis
0.00%
0/43
0.00%
0/44
2.3%
1/43 • Number of events 1
Psychiatric disorders
Mania
0.00%
0/43
0.00%
0/44
2.3%
1/43 • Number of events 1
Psychiatric disorders
Pyschotic Disorder
0.00%
0/43
2.3%
1/44 • Number of events 1
0.00%
0/43

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
PEG-IFN 12
n=43 participants at risk
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week for 12 weeks
PEG-IFN 24
n=44 participants at risk
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week for 24 weeks
PEG-IFN + RVB 12
n=43 participants at risk
Pegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week in combination with ribavirin 10.6 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Anemia
0.00%
0/43
2.3%
1/44 • Number of events 1
9.3%
4/43 • Number of events 4
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Granulocytopenia
51.2%
22/43 • Number of events 25
72.7%
32/44 • Number of events 44
60.5%
26/43 • Number of events 34
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Leukopenia
72.1%
31/43 • Number of events 36
68.2%
30/44 • Number of events 45
72.1%
31/43 • Number of events 37
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Neutropenia
14.0%
6/43 • Number of events 7
6.8%
3/44 • Number of events 3
4.7%
2/43 • Number of events 2
Gastrointestinal disorders
Abdominal Pain
0.00%
0/43
9.1%
4/44 • Number of events 4
4.7%
2/43 • Number of events 2
Gastrointestinal disorders
Abdominal Pain Upper
0.00%
0/43
2.3%
1/44 • Number of events 1
7.0%
3/43 • Number of events 3
Gastrointestinal disorders
Constipation
0.00%
0/43
6.8%
3/44 • Number of events 3
0.00%
0/43
Gastrointestinal disorders
Dyspepsia
9.3%
4/43 • Number of events 4
0.00%
0/44
7.0%
3/43 • Number of events 3
Gastrointestinal disorders
Nausea
4.7%
2/43 • Number of events 2
15.9%
7/44 • Number of events 9
7.0%
3/43 • Number of events 4
General disorders
Asthenia
27.9%
12/43 • Number of events 12
25.0%
11/44 • Number of events 11
16.3%
7/43 • Number of events 7
General disorders
Chills
9.3%
4/43 • Number of events 4
2.3%
1/44 • Number of events 1
14.0%
6/43 • Number of events 6
General disorders
Irritability
4.7%
2/43 • Number of events 2
9.1%
4/44 • Number of events 4
4.7%
2/43 • Number of events 2
General disorders
Pain
18.6%
8/43 • Number of events 8
20.5%
9/44 • Number of events 9
16.3%
7/43 • Number of events 8
General disorders
Pyrexia
62.8%
27/43 • Number of events 31
68.2%
30/44 • Number of events 35
65.1%
28/43 • Number of events 34
Investigations
Hemoglobin Decreased
2.3%
1/43 • Number of events 1
15.9%
7/44 • Number of events 7
11.6%
5/43 • Number of events 5
Investigations
Platelet Count Decreased
16.3%
7/43 • Number of events 7
11.4%
5/44 • Number of events 6
2.3%
1/43 • Number of events 1
Investigations
Transaminases Increased
9.3%
4/43 • Number of events 4
18.2%
8/44 • Number of events 9
4.7%
2/43 • Number of events 2
Investigations
Weight Decreased
0.00%
0/43
9.1%
4/44 • Number of events 4
2.3%
1/43 • Number of events 1
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Decreased Appetite
2.3%
1/43 • Number of events 1
15.9%
7/44 • Number of events 7
2.3%
1/43 • Number of events 1
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Arthralgia
25.6%
11/43 • Number of events 15
29.5%
13/44 • Number of events 14
30.2%
13/43 • Number of events 13
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Myalgia
2.3%
1/43 • Number of events 1
6.8%
3/44 • Number of events 3
9.3%
4/43 • Number of events 4
Nervous system disorders
Headache
25.6%
11/43 • Number of events 11
29.5%
13/44 • Number of events 15
27.9%
12/43 • Number of events 14
Psychiatric disorders
Anxiety
2.3%
1/43 • Number of events 1
4.5%
2/44 • Number of events 2
7.0%
3/43 • Number of events 3
Psychiatric disorders
Depression
4.7%
2/43 • Number of events 2
13.6%
6/44 • Number of events 6
11.6%
5/43 • Number of events 6
Psychiatric disorders
Insomia
2.3%
1/43 • Number of events 1
11.4%
5/44 • Number of events 5
7.0%
3/43 • Number of events 3
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Alopecia
9.3%
4/43 • Number of events 4
15.9%
7/44 • Number of events 7
4.7%
2/43 • Number of events 2
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Erythrema
0.00%
0/43
6.8%
3/44 • Number of events 4
7.0%
3/43 • Number of events 3
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Pruritus
2.3%
1/43 • Number of events 1
2.3%
1/44 • Number of events 1
9.3%
4/43 • Number of events 6

Additional Information

Senior Vice President, Global Clinical Development

Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee The investigator agrees not to publish or publish or present any results of the study without the prior written permission of Schering-Plough The principal investigator further agrees to allow the Sponsor to review, 30 days prior to submission for publication or presentation, copies of abstracts or manuscripts for publication (including texts of oral presentations) which report any results of the study.
  • Publication restrictions are in place

Restriction type: OTHER