Chronic viral hepatitis is a major global cause of morbidity and mortality. Over the last decade, significant progress has occurred in the development of new treatments for chronic hepatitis C and hepatitis B, although management strategy of these diseases continues to evolve. More than half of patients undergoing treatment with peginterferon and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C can achieve a sustained virological response. However, numerous patients still fail to achieve permanent viral eradication or are not candidates for initial antiviral therapy due to medical or psychosocial comorbidities which are contraindications to peginterferon and ribavirin therapy. In contrast, treatments for chronic hepatitis B with nucleoside analogues, as examples, are better tolerated, although efficacy is generally measured by prolonged viral suppression, rather than permanent cure. For both these diseases, a better understanding of mechanisms of diminished response to therapy, development of optimized treatment regimens, and/or the identification of alternative or novel medications is of critical importance. The UNC Liver Diseases Program, under the direction of Dr. Michael Fried, is extremely active in pursuing studies that focus on treatment of chronic viral hepatitis. For the purposes of this application, we will discuss an ongoing phase I/II study, funded by NCCAM/NIDDK, that investigates silymarin (milk thistle) as an alternative treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis C who failed to respond to conventional antiviral therapy (U01-AT003560, SyNCH). Furthermore, we will review a new study for chronic hepatitis B, the Hepatitis B Clinical Research Network, funded by NIDDK (U01 DK082867). Finally, we will present a detailed synopsis of an investigator initiated study that examines interferon signaling pathways in peripheral blood mononuclear cells utilizing novel methodologies. These studies provide the backbone of the mentoring program for junior faculty and fellows who are actively involved in their design, implementation, and analysis. As demonstrated within this application, mentees have been integrated into these research activities which have provided them with numerous opportunities in a mentored environment within which to develop research skills and to assert their ownership of individual projects.

Public Health Relevance

In this competing renewal application for the K24 Mentoring Award, I will provide detailed information regarding my background in patient-oriented research and the successful clinical research and integrated mentoring program that has been developed directly as a result of this award. I will also demonstrate my continued dedication to clinical research and to a diverse group of talented junior investigators for whom I serve as primary mentor. Finally, we will provide examples of several new research initiatives that will continue to ensure effective mentored research opportunities, as well as a plan for the development of interdisciplinary research teams capable of performing translational research studies.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (K24)
Project #
5K24DK066144-09
Application #
8459495
Study Section
Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases B Subcommittee (DDK)
Program Officer
Podskalny, Judith M,
Project Start
2004-07-01
Project End
2015-04-30
Budget Start
2013-05-01
Budget End
2014-04-30
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$153,330
Indirect Cost
$11,358
Name
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
608195277
City
Chapel Hill
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27599
Evon, Donna M; Golin, Carol E; Ruffin, Rachel et al. (2018) Novel patient-reported outcomes (PROs) used in a pilot and feasibility study of a Cognitive Behavioral Coping Skills (CBCS) group intervention for patients with chronic hepatitis C. Pilot Feasibility Stud 4:92
Lim, Joseph K; Liapakis, Ann Marie; Shiffman, Mitchell L et al. (2018) Safety and Effectiveness of Ledipasvir and Sofosbuvir, With or Without Ribavirin, in Treatment-Experienced Patients With Genotype 1 Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Cirrhosis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 16:1811-1819.e4
Welzel, Tania M; Nelson, David R; Morelli, Giuseppe et al. (2017) Effectiveness and safety of sofosbuvir plus ribavirin for the treatment of HCV genotype 2 infection: results of the real-world, clinical practice HCV-TARGET study. Gut 66:1844-1852
Evon, Donna M; Golin, Carol E; Ruffin, Rachel et al. (2017) Development and Pilot-Testing of a Cognitive Behavioral Coping Skills Group Intervention for Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C. Contemp Clin Trials Commun 6:85-96
Saxena, Varun; Khungar, Vandana; Verna, Elizabeth C et al. (2017) Safety and efficacy of current direct-acting antiviral regimens in kidney and liver transplant recipients with hepatitis C: Results from the HCV-TARGET study. Hepatology 66:1090-1101
Evon, Donna M; Golin, Carol E; Stoica, Teodora et al. (2017) What's Important to the Patient? Informational Needs of Patients Making Decisions About Hepatitis C Treatment. Patient 10:335-344
Terrault, Norah A; Zeuzem, Stefan; Di Bisceglie, Adrian M et al. (2016) Effectiveness of Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir Combination in Patients With Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Factors Associated With Sustained Virologic Response. Gastroenterology 151:1131-1140.e5
Feld, Jordan J; Maan, Raoel; Zeuzem, Stefan et al. (2016) Effectiveness and Safety of Sofosbuvir-Based Regimens for Chronic HCV Genotype 3 Infection: Results of the HCV-TARGET Study. Clin Infect Dis 63:776-783
Brown Jr, Robert S; O'Leary, Jacqueline G; Reddy, K Rajender et al. (2016) Interferon-free therapy for genotype 1 hepatitis C in liver transplant recipients: Real-world experience from the hepatitis C therapeutic registry and research network. Liver Transpl 22:24-33
Johansson, Susanne; Talloen, Willem; Tuefferd, Marianne et al. (2016) High MIG (CXCL9) plasma levels favours response to peginterferon and ribavirin in HCV-infected patients regardless of DPP4 activity. Liver Int 36:344-52

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