Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major public health concern worldwide. Over the last few years, hepatitis C treatment has been transformed by the development of new medications such as direct acting agents (DAA), which have high cure rates, shorter duration of treatment, and almost no side effects.

Most people can now be cured with these new agents, but the necessary therapy isn’t reaching marginalized populations such as people who inject drugs, who make up the majority of the cases of HCV infection in most developed countries. Expanding treatment for these people could reduce HCV transmission, in accordance with the World Health Organization’s goal of eliminating hepatitis C worldwide by 2030.

Led by Benjamin J. Eckhardt, MD, researchers from NYU Langone’s Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology are working on the following research studies to provide accessible HCV intervention for people who inject drugs and to prevent HCV transmission.

Accessible Care HCV Intervention for People Who Inject Drugs

This ongoing randomized clinical trial evaluates a novel care model of providing hepatitis C treatment to people who are actively injecting drugs at a needle and syringe service site. Our researchers are evaluating this approach to improve linkage, engagement, and HCV cure in a patient population that does not typically engage in standard medical clinic settings. This study is funded by the National Institutes of Health.

HCV Test and Rapid Treatment for Young People Who Inject Drugs

This study aims to determine whether a community-based test and rapid treat model of HCV care delivery is more effective than the usual care in treatment for people between the ages of 18 and 29 who inject drugs.

HCV Source Patient Identification and Group Overlap Treatment

This study aims to identify acute hepatitis C infection and evaluate a partner services model to identify and treat groups of people who inject drugs and are infected with hepatitis C. This study aims to cure on an individual as well as a group level to prevent cyclical transmission and achieve micro-elimination.

Staying Safe Intervention: Preventing HCV Among Young Opioid Injectors

HCV incidence is very high among young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 who inject drugs. Researchers are evaluating an educational intervention tool administered to young people who inject drugs and who do not have HCV. The goal of this study is to reduce HCV and HIV infection and injection risk behavior.