In vitro blood cell responsiveness to IFN-α predicts clinical response independently of IL28B in hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infected patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Treatment with interferon-alpha (IFN-α) and ribavirin successfully clears hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in 50% of patients infected with genotype 1. Addition of NS3-4A protease inhibitors (PIs) increases response rates but results in additional side effects and significant economic costs. Here, we hypothesised that in vitro responsiveness of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to IFN-α stimulation would identify patients who achieved sustained virological response (SVR) on dual therapy alone and thus not require addition of PIs.

Methods

PBMCs were isolated from HCV infected patients (n = 42), infected with either HCV genotype 1 or genotype 3, before commencing therapy and stimulated in vitro with IFN-α. Expression of the IFN stimulated genes (ISGs) PKR,

SUBMITTER: Bourke NM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4112837 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature