Grant: Rapid Funding for DSEN Targeted Research - Prospective Studies

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global health problem. After 20 or more years of chronic HCV infection, many patients develop liver problems and some will require a liver transplant or die. In Canada it is estimated that more than 250,000 suffer from chronic HCV infection. This research project investigates the effectiveness and safety of drugs used to treat chronic HCV infections in Canada. The work is in response to questions raised by the Canadian Agency for Drug and Technologies in Health (CADTH) and the Drug Safety and Effectiveness Network (DSEN) regarding the use of genetic markers to optimize therapy for individuals with HCV. Currently four drugs are available in Canada to treat HCV infections, each with varying risk/benefit profiles and costs. Canadians from British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario who receive therapy for HCV will take part in this study. In participating patients, we will collect information about their HCV therapy, how they have responded, and any adverse effects related to the drugs they take. Because we know that a person's genetics helps us understand who is more likely to respond to each HCV drug regimen and potentially who is more likely to suffer an adverse drug reaction, we will collect a saliva sample from all patients and conduct genetic analyses. Based on our results we will develop a prediction tool to help doctors decide on the best HCV drug therapy regimen for each patient. This will also help the Canadian health system most effectively manage the costs of treating patients with HCV.