Battle Creek, Hepatitis C and Me
First Presbyterian Church - Directions
111 Capital Avenue
Battle Creek, MI 49014
Meets: Meets second Monday of each month 4:30-6 pm
Contact Lyn Benjamin for more information.
Phone: 517-279-7341
Detroit & Suburbs Hepatitis C Support Group
Huntington Woods Library - Lower Level - Friends Room - Directions
26415 Scotia Road
Huntington Woods, MI 48070
Meets: Second Wednesday monthly 7-8:30pm
Contact Marcus Calfin for more information.
Phone: 248-672-7561
Email: marcuscal@yahoo.com
Detroit - Henry Ford Hospital Liver Transplant Support Group
Henry Ford Hospital - Directions
2799 W. Grand Blvd.
Clinic Building 16th Floor
Detroit, MI 48202
Meets: Second Thursday monthly 11am, Large Conference Room, 16th Floor
Contact Maria Munoz, MSW for more information.
Phone: 313-916-1352
Email: mmunoz2@hfhs.org
Transplant Connection - Beaumont Hospital
Beaumont Hospital
Administration Building Royal Oak Campus
Royal Oak, MI 48073-6769
Meets: Meets every 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm
Transplant Connection Support Group meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month at Beaumont's Royal Oak Campus in the Administration Building 1st floor Conference dining rooms A & B. The group is for both pre and post liver transplant patients, their families, friends and caregivers.
Contact Tony Grunkemeyer for more information.
Phone: 248-551-1033 option 3
Email: LLLiver1@sbcglobal.net
Acute Liver Failure
Acute Liver Failure
The aim of this study is to gather prospective demographic and clinical data on Acute Liver Failure (ALF) patients with varying etiologies. Blood samples, clinical data and survial will be obtained x 7 days.
Contact Information:
Suzanne Welch
University of Michigan
Phone: 734-936-4886
Email Address: swelc@umich.edu
Contact Suzanne Welch for more information.
Phone: 734-936-4886
Drug-Induced Liver Injury
Drug-Induced Liver Injury
The goal of this protocol is to create a dtatbase and bank of biological specimens (DNA, plasma, lymphocytes) from individuals with severe drug-induced liver injury (DILI) due to isoniazid (INH), phenytoin (Dilantin), amoxicillin /clavulante (Augmentin) or valproic acid (Depakote) after January 1, 1994.
Contact Information:
Suzanne Welch
University of Michigan
Phone: 734-936-4886
Phone 866-UM-LIVER
Contact Suzanne Welch for more information.
Phone: 734-936-4886
Email: swelc@umich.edu
Fenofibrate (Tricor) for the treatment of NASH
Fenofibrate (Tricor) for the treatment of NASH
Non-Alcoholic Fatty liver disease is an important cause of liver disease in the U.S. Patients who have non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH (presence of fat along liver cell injury with or without scarring or fibrosis) are especially prone to have progression of their liver disease with time.
We will be testing to see whether the use of a lipid lowering drug fenofibrate, (classified as a PPARĄ agonist), decreases liver fat and liver cell injury in patients with NASH. This is a randomized placebo controlled treatment study of a lipid lowering drug fenofibrate (Tricor) given for 48 weeks in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The focus of this study is to test the safety and efficacy of fenofibrate treatment for NASH. The study involves out-patient visits every four to eight weeks for lab draws and follow-up. A repeat liver biopsy will be done after completing treatment to look for improvement of NASH.
Eligibility:
Patients who have NASH confirmed by biopsy done within six months of enrollment (others may require a repeat biopsy).
Patients who are not undergoing any treatment for hyperlipidemia (such as with ‘statin’ drugs).
Main Exclusion criteria
Evidence of cirrhosis on liver biopsy
Diabetes Mellitus
Costs for the Patient:
All patients will receive free study medication and all blood tests related to the study will be paid for by the study. If a patient needs a repeat biopsy to enroll into the study (if liver biopsy was done more than 6 months ago) this will be paid for by the study.
Contact Persons:
Please contact Jason Omo at (734) 763-1396 [e-mail: jasonomo@med.umich.edu] or Dr. Hari Conjeevaram at (734) 615-9759 [e-mail: omsairam@med.umich.edu] if you have any questions.
Contact Jason Omo for more information.
Phone: 734-673-1396
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
It is the aim of this study to develop better biomarkers for the early detection of HCC.
Contact Information:
Sherry Fu
University of Michigan
Phone: 734-647-3635
Email Address: sherryfu@umich.edu
Contact Sherry Fu for more information.
Phone: 734-647-3635
Primary Billary Cirrhosis
Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
The University of Michigan is conducting an exciting study investigating potential new treatment aimed at slowing/halting progression of primary biliary cirrhosis. This will be a 2 arm double blind study in which half of the patients will be randomly selected to receive a placebo (capsule with no active ingredient) and half will receive the new treatment drug, neither the patient or the treating physician will know which arm the patient is in.
The length of this study for each patient is 24 months of drug therapy, plus some time at the beginning involving baseline studies done before starting and possibly 3 months pretreatment with ursodiol. At the start of the study, patients will have a history & physical. This is to determine if you are eligible to join the study. If you want to participate in this study, a baseline liver biopsy may be done and blood tests will be done. If you are eligible, you will be enrolled in a double blind, placebo (no active ingredient) controlled study. Weekly lab draws will be necessary for the first 6 weeks of the study, followed by every other week lab draws for 3 weeks, and then monthly lab draws for the remainder of the 2 year period. In addition, intermittent history and physicals and urine samples will also be necessary.
There is no cost to you for any experimental treatment.
Contact Information:
Dawna Innis, RN, BSN
University of Michigan
Email Address: dinnis@umich.edu
Contact Dawna Innis, RN, BSN for more information.
Phone: 734-647-3166
Role of Pioglitazone (Actos) for the treatment in Chronic Hepatitis C
Role of Pioglitazone (Actos) for the treatment in Chronic Hepatitis C:
A study of Pioglitazone vs. Placebo given along with Standard Hepatitis C Treatment (pegylated protein used by the body to fight infection. It is prescribed as an injected medication for people with hepatitis B or hepatitis C. ');"
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Insulin resistance (IR), a key factor in the development of fatty liver (steatosis), liver cell injury and scarring (fibrosis) is common in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Recent data suggests that IR and steatosis may lead to progression of liver disease and lower response to treatment especially in hepatitis C especially in genotype 1 infection.
In this study, we will be testing whether the addition of an insulin sensitizing medication (pioglitazone or Actos) to standard antiviral therapy (pegylated interferon ribavirin) will result in improving IR and liver injury in patients with HCV genotype 1 infection. The study involves out-patient visits every four to eight weeks for lab draws and follow-up. A repeat liver biopsy will be done after completing treatment to look for improvement of NASH. We will also study whether this will improve response to treatment in achieving virus eradication (sustained virological response).
Main Inclusion (Eligibility) criteria:
Previously untreated (treatment naïve) HCV genotype 1 patients with a liver biopsy done within 6 months of enrollment (others may require a repeat biopsy).
Insulin resistance based on HOMA index value (HOMA-IR) of >2.0 during screening
Main Exclusion criteria:
Evidence of cirrhosis on liver biopsy
Diabetes Mellitus
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine or coming into contact with a virus. They protect the body against future infections.');"
onmouseout="exit();">antibody positive
Costs for the Patient:
The drugs pegylated interferon ribavirin and the study medication (pioglitazone or placebo) will all be provided free of charge along with certain blood tests that are done for the purposes of the research study. If a patient needs a repeat biopsy to enroll into the study this will be covered by the study. The costs of certain blood tests done as part of standard treatment will be billed to their insurance.
Contact Persons:
Please contact Donna Harsh at (734) 763-6647 [e-mail: dharsh@med.umich.edu] or Dr. Hari Conjeevaram at (734) 615-9759 [e-mail: omsairam@med.umich.edu] if you have any questions.
Contact Donna Harsh for more information.
Phone: 734-763-6647
Studies in Drug - Induced Liver Injury
Studies in Drug-Induced Liver Injury
I. Idiosyncratic Liver Injury Associated with Drugs (ILIAD)
The goal of the ILIAD protocol is to create a database and bank of biological specimens (DNA, plasma, lymphocytes) from individuals with severe drug-induced liver injury (DILI) due to isoniazid (INH), phenytoin (Dilantin), amoxicillin/ clavulanate (Augmentin), or valproic acid (Depakote) after January 1, 1994. This study is funded by the NIH/ NIDDK.
Study Design:
Telephone or personal interview of medical history surrounding DILI event
Single blood draw
Participant receives $75
Please contact Suzanne Welch at (734) 936-4886, toll free 1-866-UM-LIVER, or swelc@umich.edu or Robert Fontana rfontana@umich.edufor referrals or questions.
II. A Multi-Center, Longitudinal Study of Drug- and CAM-Induced Liver Injury
The goal of this NIH study is to prospectively identify bona fide cases of liver injury due to drugs and complementary and alternative medications (CAM) within 6 months of onset. Clinical data, blood, DNA, and urine will be collected from affected patients and matched controls for mechanistic and genetic studies.
Study Design:
All subjects have a baseline and 6-month follow-up visit at the University of Michigan which includes: surveys, medical history, blood, and urine collection.
Patients with liver injury at 6 months return for 12 and 24- month visits.
Costs:
Costs of study lab tests are provided by the sponsor (NIDDK).
Subjects receive $50 for each completed study visit.
Contact:
Please contact Suzanne Welch at (734) 936-4886, toll free 1-866-UM-LIVER, swelc@umich.edu or Robert Fontana rfontana@umich.edufor referrals or questions.
Contact Suzanne Welch for more information.
Phone: 734-936-4886
University of Michigan Health System - Hepatitis C Clinical Research Study
University of Michigan Health System - Hepatitis C Clinical Research Study
Role of Pioglitazone (Actos) treatment in Chronic Hepatitis C
Insulin resistance (IR), a key factor in the development of hepatic steatosis, liver cell injury and fibrosis is common in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. An association between steatosis and fibrosis has been emphasized in HCV infection. Available studies to date including our own suggest an important role of IR and steatosis in the pathogenesis of liver disease and response to antiviral therapy especially in type 1 infection.
University of Michigan will be testing the hypothesis that in patients with genotype 1 infection, the addition of an insulin sensitizing agent such as pioglitazone to standard antiviral treatment regimen will result in a greater reduction of insulin resistance (IR) and hepatic steatosis compared to antiviral treatment alone. UofM will be testing wheather improvement in IR will result in improvement in inflammation and possibly the rate of sustained virological response (SVR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C and genotype 1 infection.
Inclusion criteria:
* Males and females: age greater than 18 years of age.
*HCV genotype 1 patients with evidence of chronic hepatitis with a minimum fibrosis score of 1 on liver biopsy done within 6 months of enrollment.
*Insulin resistance based on HOMA index value (HOMA-IR) of >2.0 during screening.
*Able and willing to provide written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria:
*Hepatitis C patients who underwent previous therapy for their liver disease
*Genotype other than type 1.
Histological evidence of cirrhosis or confirmed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
*Evidence of other causes of chronic liver disease.
*Diabetes Mellitus.
*Medications that lead to hepatic steatosis including such as amiodarone, systemic steroids, tamoxifen, valproic acid, and methotrexate.
*Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody positive.
Patients with solid organ transplants.
*Pregnancy or breat feeding.
*Participation in any other clinical trial within 90 days of entry into this trial.
*Unwilling to consent for the study.
Contact Information:
Donna Harsh, M.S. Research Coordinator
University of Michigan Heath Center
Ann Arbor, MI
Phone: 734-763-6647
Fax: 734-936-7392
Email Address: dharsh@med.umich.edu
Contact Donna Harsh for more information.
Phone: 734-763-6647
Wilson's Disease
Wilson's Disease
This randomized double blind study is conducted to compare efficacy and toxicity of three anti-copper drugs, penicillamine, trientine and tetrahiomolybdate for the initial treatment of Wilson's disease patients presenting with liver disease. The objective of the study is to compare rate and degree of recovery of liver function and to compare side effects.
The treatment period is 24 weeks, the first 6 weeks of which are spent in the General Clinical Research Center of the University of Michigan Hospital, with free medical care and hospitalization provided to the extent required for Wilson's disease. The next 18 weeks involves home treatment, with the appropriate anticopper medication provided. It will be necessary to have blood tests every 2 weeks during the 18 week period at home with the results sent to us. The blood tests involve blood counts and liver function tests, readily available anywhere. Patients will be followed with the referring physician, as desired. Patients will be responsible for travel costs to Ann Arbor and for blood tests during the last 18 weeks.
Contact Information:
Fred Askari, MD, PhD
University of Michigan
Phone: 734-647-2964
Contact Fred Askari for more information.
Phone: 734-647-2964
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