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Immunological markers predicting outcome in patients with hepatitis C treated with interferon‐α and ribavirin
Author(s) -
Lee Silvia,
MacQuillan Gerry C,
Keane Niamh M,
Flexman James,
Jeffrey Gary P,
French Martyn AH,
Brochier Jean,
Price Patricia
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
immunology and cell biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.999
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1440-1711
pISSN - 0818-9641
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1711.2002.01102.x
Subject(s) - ribavirin , cytokine , immunology , medicine , interferon , immune system , hepatitis c virus , dipeptidyl peptidase 4 , hepatitis c , dipeptidyl peptidase , gastroenterology , virus , enzyme , biology , endocrinology , biochemistry , type 2 diabetes , diabetes mellitus
Type 1 (T1) cytokine responses are required for the clearance of hepatitis C virus by cytotoxic T lymphocytes, but can promote liver damage. Interferon‐α (IFNα) can be expected to promote T1 cytokine responses, so treatment outcome may depend on the T1/T2 cytokine environment and levels of immune activation at baseline. This model was tested by monitoring immunological markers in a pilot study of treatment naïve patients given IFNα2b and ribavirin, with the aim of finding markers that predict virological outcome. Soluble (s) CD26/dipeptidyl peptidase IV enzyme activity and levels of sCD30, bioavailable IL‐6, sTNF‐RI, IL‐1ra and nitrite/nitrate (NO 2 − /NO 3 − ) were measured. Levels of IL‐1ra and bioavailable IL‐6 were lower in patients than controls and did not change with therapy. Treatment decreased sCD26/dipeptidyl peptidase IV enzyme activities and sCD30 levels and increased NO 2 − /NO 3 − levels. High baseline sCD30 levels predicted an early ( P = 0.008) and sustained ( P = 0.03) virological response to therapy, suggesting treatment may be more effective in patients with a predominant T2 profile.