Hepatitis C Chronic and Acute Donor Blood Collection for Use in Controlled Human Infection Model (CHIM)

Research summary

Hepatitis C Virus currently infects more than 50 million people worldwide and remains a major cause of liver cancer, liver failure and death. This study is the first stage in the development of a human challenge model for hepatitis C Virus infection (HCV), which is needed to test new vaccines that will prevent HCV infection. The purpose of this study is to collect blood from people living with a hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection from sites in the UK which already provide diagnosis, care, or treatment for HCV infection. The plasma, which contains HCV, will be separated from the collected blood. Scientists will measure the amount of virus in the plasma and store it safely for use in future research studies. In these future studies, healthy volunteers will be intentionally exposed to HCV, and will then be treated and cured of the virus. The goal of this research is to develop better vaccines and possible preventative treatment for hepatitis C. People who join this study must have either a long-term (chronic) or recent (acute) HCV infection. First, an individual will go through a health check to make sure they are eligible to take part in the study. This health check includes a medical exam, medical history, and blood and urine tests. After passing the health check, people who enrol in this study (study participants) will donate a moderately large amount of blood (about one unit or 470 millilitres of blood, that is typical of standard blood donation). After this donation, the study participant will receive their usual medical care for HCV through their existing healthcare team. Study participants will attend two further in-person visits (when small volumes of blood will be taken ~4 teaspoons) and one additional remote (telephone call) visit over about a 25 week period following their blood donation. Participation is completely voluntary, and study participants can leave the study at any time. By donating, participants may help advance research that could one day prevent hepatitis C infection and protect millions of people from infection. This study follows safety and ethical rules to protect all participants.

Principal Investigator

Prof Eleanor Barnes

Contact us

Email: emcrf@ouh.nhs.uk

IRAS number

359186