A genomewide association study on susceptibility to HCV in HIV-1+ MSM

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  A genomewide association study (GWAS) on susceptibility to sexual transmission of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) among HIV-1+ MSM

• IRAS ID

  226236

• Contact name

  Katrina Stegmann

• Contact email

  katrina.stegmann@chelwest.nhs.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Amsterdam Medical Centre

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 0 months, 0 days

• Research summary

  Rationale:
  Despite high-risk behavior for hepatitis C (HCV) transmission and substantial prevalence in the population, some individuals remain uninfected, suggesting that host factors play a role in HCV susceptibility. To determine whether genetic factors play a role in HCV susceptibility we want to perform a genome wide association study (GWAS) on individuals at high risk for acquiring HCV, to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in host genes.

  Objective:
  To identify genetic host factors associated with HCV susceptibility among HIV-infected MSM.

  Study design:
  This is a case-control study to be carried out at multiple HIV-treatment clinics in Amsterdam as well as HIV-treatment clinics in Berlin (Zentrum für Infektiologie, Berlin Prenzlauer Berg, Dr. P. Ingiliz) and New York (Mount Sinai Hospital and the Callen-Lorde Clinic, Dr. D. Fierer) and London (Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Prof. M. Nelson). It is an observational study without invasive measurements. Participants will be requested to fill out a questionnaire allowing assessment of risk behaviour which facilitates HCV transmission. A buccal swab will be collected from each participant. DNA derived from the buccal swabs from cases and high-risk controls (i.e. a selection of all controls that are included) will be analysed using an Illumina ‘Global Screening Array’, enabling genotyping of 700.000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

  Study population:
  HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM), 18+ yr old. Controls are HIV-infected MSM without (past) HCV infection. Cases are HIV-infected MSM with current or past HCV infection.

  Main study parameters/endpoints:
  Identification of SNPs associated with HCV susceptibility

• REC name

  HSC REC A

• REC reference

  17/NI/0111

• Date of REC Opinion

  21 Jun 2017

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion