2020 Program 
9th Canadian Sympsium on Hepatitis C

friday February 28, 2020

7:00 AM - 7:00 PM 
Registration/Breakfast Inscription, Fortifications Foyer

8:00 - 8:15 AM 
Welcome and Introductions - Montreal CD
Curtis Cooper (Symposium Chair), The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Angela Crawley (Symposium Co-Chair), The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

8:15 - 9:50 AM
Session #1: Biomedical Research

HCV VACCINE DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED STUDIES

Seung-Hwan Lee (Co-Chair), University of Ottawa 
Che Colpitts (Co-Chair), Queens University
CanHepC trainees introducing Plenary Speakers: Chisom Okwor and Vanessa Meier-Stephenson

8:15 - 8:35 AM
Vaccines for HCV - Where there is a Will there is a Way, Ellie Barnes, Oxford University, UK
8:35 - 8:55 AM
Progress towards a Global Prophylactic HCV Vaccine, John Law, University of Alberta, Canada
8:55 - 9:15 AM
Questions and Panel Discussion
9:15 - 9:30 AM
Oral Abstract 1 - Differential gene expression of circulating CD8 T cells of cirrhotic HCV-infected individuals identifies pathways associated with lasting dysfunction, Angela M. Crawley, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
9:30 - 9:45 AM
Oral Abstract 2 - The Effect of Apoptosis and Inflammasome-Mediated Pyroptosis on HCV Infection, Hannah Louise Wallace, Memorial University

9:45 - 10:10 
Coffee Break

10:00 - 11:00 AM 
Session #2: Social, Cultural, Environmental and Population Health Research 

HCV IN UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS: MODELING AND REAL‑LIFE DATA TO INFORM STRATEGIES

Julie Bruneau (Co-Chair), Université de Montréal
Nadine Kronfi (Co-Chair), McGill University
CanHepC trainees introducing Plenary Speakers: Adam Palayew and Yasmin Saeed

10:00 - 10:20 AM
Tackling HCV transmission among people who inject drugs: insights from modeling, Natasha Martin, University of California San Diego, USA
10:20 - 10:40 AM
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Care in Canadian Correctional Facilities: The long road ahead towards HCV elimination, Nadine Kronfi, McGill University
10:50 - 10:40 AM
Questions and Panel Discussion 11:11 - 11:22 AM: Estimation of an Individual-Level Deprivation Index for HIV/HCV Co-Infected Persons, Adam Palayew, McGill University
10:40 - 11:00 AM
Questions/Panel Discussion 
11:00 - 11:15 AM 
Oral Abstract 1 - Effect of Sustained Virologic Response and Opioid Agonist Therapy on Mortality Among People Living with Chronic Hepatitis C, Prince Adu, University of British Columbia
11:15 - 11:30 AM 
Oral Abstract 2 - Community and Corrections Based Point-of-Care Testing into a Provincial Hepatitis C Elimination Framework, Lisa Barrett, Dalhousie University

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM 

Community Session: “CONNECTING WITH CARE”: CANADIAN MODELS OF HEPATITIS C CARE‑ A FILM PREVIEW AND PANEL DISCUSSION

Moderator: Melisa Dickie, Director, Hepatitis C Knowledge Exchange

A Saskatchewan Story, Athakakoop Health Centre 
Jodie Albert, Outreach Worker, Tanys Isbister, Community Health Nurse

Montreal’s Many Models of Care 
Martin Pagé, Executive Director, Dopamine
Hugo Bissonne, Executive Director, Centre Sida Amitié
Robert LaMarche, Outreach Worker, Centre Sida Amitié

Toronto Community Hep C Program 
Jennifer Broad, Community Health Worker
Kate Mason, Researcher
Jason Altenberg, CEO, South Riverdale Community Health Centre.

12:30 - 2:00 PM 
Lunch and Poster Session

13:00 - 13:45
CanHepC evaluation of poster

2:00 - 2:55 PM 
Session #3: Clinical Research - Hepatitis C Infection in Pregnancy and Children

Eve Roberts (Co-Chair), Dalhousie University
Hugo Soudeyns (Co-Chair), Université de Montréal
CanHepC trainees introducing Plenary Speakers:  Nanor Minoyan and Gillian Kolla

2:00 - 2:20 PM
DAA use in Pregnancy, Robert Honegger, Nationwide Children's, USA
2:20 - 2:40 PM
Pediatric Perspectives on DDA Use, Simon Ling, University of Toronto, Canada
2:40 - 2:55 PM
Questions and Panel Discussion
2:55 - 3:10 PM
Oral Abstract 1 - Efficacy of Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir (S/V): Impact of Treatment Adherence, Brian Conway
3:10 - 3:25 PM
Oral Abstract 2 - Reinfection Following Successful Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy for Hepatitis C Infection Among People Who Inject Drugs | Evan Cunningham, The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, Australia

3:25 - 4:10 PM
Session #4: Health Services Research

BLUEPRINT UPDATE AND IMPLEMENTATION

Jason Altenberg (Co-Chair), South Riverdale Community Health Centre
Naveed Janjua (Co-Chair), BCCDC

3:25 - 3:35 PM
Blueprint Update, Jordan Feld, University of Toronto, Canada
3:35 - 3:55 PM
Elimination Efforts in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, Lisa Barrett, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
3:55 - 4:10 PM
Questions and Panel Discussion
4:10 - 4:25 PM
Oral Abstract 1 - HBV-HCV Co Infection Among Immigrants in Ontario, Canada, Abdool S. Yasseen, University of Toronto, Canada
4:25 - 4:40 PM
Oral Abstract 2 - The health burden of hepatitis C infection facing the First Nations population in Ontario: A Research Partnership, Andrew Mendlowitz, University of Toronto, Canada

4:40 - 4:50 PM
CANHEPC TRAINEE AWARDS CEREMONY

Curtis Cooper, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Angela Crawley, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

4:55 - 5:05 PM 
CANADIAN LIVER MEETING OPENING REMARKS

Marc Bilodeau, Université de Montreal, Montreal, Canada

5:05 - 5:40 PM 
CLM OPENING PRESENTATION ‑ UPDATE ON HCV ELIMINATION IN CANADA AND THE US

6:10 - 6:25 PM
BIOMEDICAL POSTER TOUR

Chair: Rasika Kunden, CanHepC Trainee

6:10 - 6:15 PM
Poster No: CHC - P - 001 - Identifying the Role Played by the Poly(rC)-Binding Protein 2 (PCBP2) in the HCV Life Cycle, Sophie Cousineau 
6:15 - 6:20 PM
Poster No: CHC - P - 004 - Precision-Cut Liver Slice (PCLS) Culture: A Model to Examine HCV Interactions with the Liver Microenvironment, Catia Perciani
6:20 - 6:25 PM
Poster No: CHC - P - 006 - Neutrophils are the major producers of the pro-fibrogenic cytokine IL-17A in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), Mohamed Abdelnabi

6:10 - 6:25 PM
SOCIAL, CULTURAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND POPULATION HEALTH POSTER TOUR

Chair: Zoe Greenwald, CanHepC Trainee

6:10 - 6:15 PM
Poster No: CHC - P - 016 - Estimation of an Individual-Level Deprivation Index for HIV/HCV Coinfected Persons, Adam Palayew 
6:15 - 6:20 PM
Poster No: CHC - P - 013 - Diversity of Detention Patterns among People who Inject Drugs and the Associated Risk with Incident Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection: Implications for Hepatitis C Prevention, Adelina Artenie
6:20 - 6:25 PM
Poster No: CHC - P - 012 - Increasing Hepatitis C Screening & New Diagnoses in 10 British Columbia Provincial Correctional Centres from 2010-2019, Sofia Bartlett

6:35 - 7:00 PM
CLINICAL POSTER TOUR

Chair: Jordan Feld, CanHepC Mentor

6:35 - 6:40 PM
Poster No: CHC - P - 029 - Non-Invasive Surrogates of Portal Hypertension Predict Decompensation in Obese Patients with Compensated Ddvanced Chronic Liver Disease, Y. Mendoza 
6:40 - 6:45 PM
Poster No: CHC - P - 031 - Universal HCV and HIV Screening in an Emergency Room – Fewer New Cases than Expected, Valerie Martel-Laferriere
6:45 - 6:50 PM
Poster No: CHC - P - 032 - DAA Treatment Uptake or Outcomes are Not Effected by Alcohol Use: A CANUHC Analysis, Curtis Cooper

6:35 - 7:00 PM
HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH POSTER TOUR

Chair: Lisa Barrett, CanHepC Mentor

6:35 - 6:40 PM
Poster No: CHC - P - 033 - Can we Afford to Screen and Treat Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection in Canada? Latest Insight from a Canadian Policy Model – A Province-by-Province Analysis, William Wong
6:40 - 6:45 PM
Poster No: CHC - P - 038 - Hepatitis C (HCV) Re-Engagement Strategy after Loss to Follow-up, Gisela Macphail
6:45 - 6:50 PM
Poster No: CHC - P - 036 - Disparities in Health Utilities among Hepatitis C Patients Receiving Care in Different Settings, Yasmin Saeed