First human receives new antibody aimed at neutralizing Hepatitis C virus

Washington, August 7 (ANI): A volunteer has for the first time received a human monoclonal antibody that can neutralize the Hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Researchers at MassBiologics of the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) have revealed that the volunteer received the antibody known as MBL-HCV1 on July 28, as part of a Phase 1 clinical trial.

The rsearchers also revealed that the study was proceeding, and would eventually involve 30 healthy subjects in a dose-escalation trial expected to conclude later this year.

"We are pleased that this program has now entered the clinical trial phase," said Dr. Donna Ambrosino, executive director of MassBiologics and a professor of Pediatrics at the Medical School.

"This trial will test the safety of the antibody and measure its activity in the subjects. This will help us determine the useful dose and other parameters as we plan for the next step in this program, which will be a Phase 2 study in liver transplant patients," added the expert.

HCV attacks the liver and can eventually lead to liver failure. For the most serious cases of HCV that do not respond to antiviral drugs, liver transplantation is the only option.

Transplantation can be a life-saving treatment, but in nearly all cases the patient's new liver is eventually infected by HCV because the virus remains in the patient's bloodstream during surgery.

The powerful antiviral drugs now used to attack HCV prior to end-stage liver failure are not routinely used during surgery due to the patients' weakened condition and because of the strong medication that must be used to prevent the body from rejecting the new liver.

After re-infection with HCV, nearly 40 percent of patients suffer rapid liver failure, with markedly reduced survival rates.

To close that clinical gap, the MassBiologics researchers have designed the new antibody to be a therapy shortly before and after transplant surgery.

By giving a patient the new antibody before and during the time when the donor liver is implanted, the researchers hope the HCV virus left in the bloodstream will be neutralized and rendered unable to infect the new liver.

Then, because monoclonal antibodies are highly specific and typically have little or no side-effects, additional dosages of the new antibody could, theoretically, be given immediately after transplant surgery to continue neutralizing any remaining virus.

It is also possible, researchers theorize, that the antibody could be used in combination with new antiviral drugs for treatment in patients with newly diagnosed HCV infection.

"There is still more work to be done, but we are encouraged by the progress of this program to date. And we are grateful to the people who have volunteered to participate in this Phase 1 study. These subjects' participation will help others and advance the cause of human health," Dr. Ambrosino noted. (ANI)