Clinical Trial MBL-HCV1: New treatment for the prevention of re-infection of the hepatitis c virus in liver transplant patients

Hope for liver patients at UMass

UMass tests drug to prevent re-infection after transplants

At the University of Massachusetts Medical School researchers are performing trials for a new hepatitis C antibody.

The University and five hospitals in Boston, NY and Connecticut are in the second phase of the clinical trial which will help patients with HCV who undergo a liver transplant. The new treatment is for the prevention of re-infection of the hepatitis c virus in liver transplant patients. The antibody thus far is known as MBL-HCV1, ten patients are currently in the trial, with the study looking at a total of 16 to be enrolled.

"Dr. Ambrosino, who is also a professor of pediatrics at the medical school, said results will likely be available in the summer. If the virus is not found in patients 42 days after transplantation, it will be deemed a success. If the virus is found, a trial with a higher dose of antibody will begin.

The antibody — or the placebo — is administered to patients by infusion, in phases.

The first dose is given a few hours before transplant surgery, and another is given during surgery between when the diseased liver is removed and the donor liver is implanted. A third infusion is given just after surgery, followed by daily infusions during the first week of recovery. A final infusion is given on the 14th day after surgery."

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