D-Lighted to lead the way

Published On Thu 13 Feb 2014 by Roddy Isles

A unique study is being launched in Scotland to test whether Vitamin D can enhance treatment of Hepatitis C.

The study is a partnership between researchers from Dundee University, key Scottish Hepatitis services and Hepatitis Scotland and could have significant implications on the cost and effectiveness of available Hepatitis C treatments.

The study team has used international research findings as the basis for a trial that will test whether Vitamin D can enhance Hepatitis C cure rates when used in combination with currently available treatment therapies.

New Hepatitis C treatments will soon be available but are likely to be very expensive. With approximately 150 million people chronically infected with Hepatitis C worldwide, and 38,000 in Scotland alone, cost factors are likely to play a significant part in future treatment decisions.

It has been speculated that Vitamin D may significantly boost the cure rates of current treatments, with previous small trails having produced some interesting results.

Vitamin D has over recent times been gaining status for its potential to have a positive impact on people's health, but firm scientific evidence is needed to confirm this. This study will help measure any impact that Vitamin D may have on Hepatitis C cure rates.

The trial will test how 100 patients respond to having either high concentration Vitamin D, or a placebo, supplement their Hepatitis C treatment. Patients will be randomly assigned to either group. Side effects from current treatments often have a negative impact on patients however the addition of Vitamin D should have minimal further side effects.

Hepatitis Scotland's Lead Officer, Leon Wylie said, 'This study could have significant impact on the future of Hepatitis C treatment, both here and internationally. If this study replicates other findings then a very cheap and safe method of increasing treatment success rates could be available, at a cost of pennies a day. When we first saw the early research it seemed very exciting and I am extremely pleased that our partnership working has helped achieve the start of this research.'

Dr John Dillon, Dundee University Clinical Reader, NHS Tayside Consultant Hepatologist and co-Chair of the National Hepatitis C Clinicians group, said, 'This trial shows Scotland working together to discover new ways of helping cure patients affected by hepatitis C, here in Scotland and across the world. It further establishes Scotland's reputation as a world-leading centre for research into Hepatitis C.'

The trial has been funded as a pilot through the Chief Scientist's Office and depending on its success may be expanded to cover a much larger number of patients. Merck Serono KgAA have supplied the high concentration Vitamin D supplements at no charge.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
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