Memory T Cell Proliferation before Hepatitis C Virus Therapy Predicts Antiviral Immune Responses and Treatment Success.

ABSTRACT: The contribution of the host immune system to the efficacy of new anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) drugs is unclear. We undertook a longitudinal prospective study of 33 individuals with chronic HCV treated with combination pegylated IFN-α, ribavirin, and telaprevir/boceprevir. We characterized innate and adaptive immune cells to determine whether kinetics of the host response could predict sustained virologic response (SVR). We show that characteristics of the host immune system present before treatment were correlated with successful therapy. Augmentation of adaptive immune responses during therapy was more impressive among those achieving SVR. Most importantly, active memory T cell proliferation before therapy predicted SVR and was associated with the magnitude of the HCV-specific responses

SUBMITTER: Mendez-Lagares G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5780234 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature