Current Clinical and Scientific Research Focus

Joseph R. Bloomer, MD

            Dr. Bloomer has received NIH research support since 1976, including a MERIT Award from 1994-2006, to investigate the pathogenesis of clinical and biochemical features in the porphyrias.  His laboratory was the first to define the enzyme defects in two of these eight human genetic disorders, erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) and variegate porphyria, and the first to show that liver disease in EPP is caused by the toxic effect of protoporphyrin on liver structure and function.  Most recently, his laboratory has demonstrated that symptomatic disease in EPP is associated with a mutation in one ferrochelatase allele that causes a detrimental alteration in enzyme structure, together with a polymorphism in the other allele that causes low gene expression.  Further studies are being done to evaluate other genetic factors that may affect phenotype.   Dr. Bloomer also has clinical trials underway in the study of efficacy of therapy for Hepatitis B.

 Michael B. Fallon, MD

            Dr. Fallon’s major investigative focus is understanding the pathogenesis and clinical features of pulmonary vascular complications of chronic liver disease. His approach involves both translational studies based around animal models and a multicenter clinical study group. Translational studies are funded through an RO1, the Regional American Heart Association and a VA Merit Review award. Our multicenter "Pulmonary Vascular Complications of Liver Disease" group includes 7 transplant programs across the U.S. and is currently funded by two RO3 awards, one to UAB and one to Columbia University. He also has ongoing collaborations within UAB with the Vascular Biology/Hypertension Program, Center for Free Radical Biology, Gene Therapy Center, Cell Adhesion and Matrix Research Center, Pharmacology Department and with Liver Transplant program. Outside collaborations include the 6 participating transplant centers, the Cholangiocyte Biology program at Texas A&M University, the Vascular Biology program at the Medical College of Georgia, the Pulmonary Vascular Biology Program at The University of Colorado, and the Physiology Department at the University of South Alabama.  

Brendan M. McGuire, MD

            Dr. McGuire’s research focus is in the clinical management of complications in patients with end-stage liver disease.  He has been involved in industry sponsored multi-center studies using two liver assist devices for treating acute and chronic liver disease.  He is the primary investigator at UAB of the acute liver failure study group, which is an NIH funded RO1 including 27 US adult liver programs.  He is also the primary investigator of a pilot study looking at the prevalence of kidney pathology in patients with hepatitis C cirrhosis undergoing liver transplantation at UAB. 

Ilan Nevah, MD

            Dr. Nevah has recently joined the UAB Liver Center.  His major research and clinical focus will be the continued development of our Comprehensive Care Program for Hepatitis C and overseeing our current clinical hepatitis C research program.  In addition, he is actively involved in the planning and promotion of our patient education / support group program and is actively growing a large consultative practice in Hepatitis C.

Current Clinical Trials in the Liver Center

A Randomized multicenter double-blinded phase 4 study evaluating the efficacy as measured by sustained virological response, and safety of 360 mcg induction dosing of pegasys in combination with higher copegus doses in treatment naïve patients with chronic hepatitis c genotype 1 virus infection of high viral titer and baseline body weight greater than or equal to 85 kg.  For more information regarding this study, contact Research Nurse Coordinator Cindy Joiner, RN (205) 975-9564.  Principal Investigator:  Joseph R. Bloomer, MD

Long-term assessment of treatment outcomes with Entecavir and Lamivudine for chronic hepatitis B infection.   For more information regarding this study, contact Research Nurse Coordinator Cindy Joiner, RN (205) 975-9564.  Principal Investigator:  Joseph R. Bloomer, MD

A nonrandomized, multi-center study to evaluate the pharmacokinetic and safety of peginterferon alfa-2a and copegus combination therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C and moderate renal impairment, severe renal impairment or end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis. For more information regarding this study, contact Research Nurse Coordinator Cindy Joiner, RN (205) 975-9564.  Principal Investigator:  Joseph R. Bloomer, MD

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multi-center, phase II trial to assess the antifibrotic activity of GI262570 in chronic hepatitis C subjects with hepatic fibrosis who have failed prior HCV therapy.  For more information regarding this study, contact Research Nurse Coordinator Cindy Joiner, RN (205) 975-9564.  Principal Investigator:  Joseph R. Bloomer, MD

A trial comparing PEG-Intron 1.5ug/kg/wk pluse Rebetol vs PEG-Intron 1ug/kg/wk plus Rebetol vs Pegasys 180ug/wk plus Copegus in patients with genotype 1 HCV who have not received previous HCV threatment.  For more information regarding this study, contact Research Nurse Coordinator Shannon Fagan, RN, (205) 996-.  Principal Investigator:  Joseph R. Bloomer, MD

A phase III randomized, multi-center study to evaluation the efficacy and safety of albumin interferon alfa-2b in combination with ribavirin compared with peginterferin alfa-2a in combination with ribavirin in interferon alfa naïve subjects with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1. For more information regarding this study, contact Research Nurse Coordinator Cindy Joiner, RN (205) 975-9564.  Principal Investigator:  Michael B. Fallon, MD

A trial to determine the efficacy and safety of daily Infergen/Ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus, genotype 1 infection who were partial responders after peginterferon alfa/Ribavirin therapy.  For more information regarding this study, contact Research Nurse Coordinator Shannon Fagan, RN (205)__________.  Principal Investigator:  Michael B. Fallon, MD

A trial in the early use of Sanvar with endoscopic treatment for the control of acute variceal bleeding due to portal hypertension.  For more information regarding this study, contact Program Coordinator Dottie Faulk (205) 996-9542. .  Principal Investigator:  Michael B. Fallon, MD

A pilot study using Pentoxifylline for cirrhotic patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome  (HPS).  For more information regarding this study, contact Program Coordinator Dottie Faulk (205) 996-9542. .  Principal Investigator:  Michael B. Fallon, MD

Pulmonary Vascular Complications of Liver Disease is a multi-center study to understand the epidemiology, natural history, and pathogenesis of HPS in order to maximize patient outcomes and develop effective therapies.  To accomplish this goal we have established an alliance of academic centers with expertise in advanced liver disease, liver transplantation and pulmonary vascular disease to study HPS. For more information regarding this study, contact Program Coordinator Dottie Faulk (205) 996-9542. .  Principal Investigator:  Michael B. Fallon, MD

A phase III, randomized, open-lable study of the safety and efficacy of two dose levels of daily interferon alfacon-1 plus ribavirin in HCV patients who failed to achieve virologic response after previous pegylated interferon alfa plus therapy.   For more information regarding this study, contact Research Nurse Coordinator Cindy Joiner, RN (205) 975-9564.  Principal Investigator:  Michael B. Fallon, MD

A multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of rifaximin 550 mg bid for 5 months in preventing hepatic encephalopathy.  For more information regarding this study, contact Program Coordinator Stacy Eddleman (205) 975-5663.   Principal Investigator:  Brendan M. McGuire, MD