[Prognostic value of natural killer cells monitoring in the course of IFN-alpha therapy in children with chronic hepatitis C].
The aim of this study was evaluation of the role NK cells in antiviral response and the monitoring IFN-alpha therapy in children with chronic hepatitis C. The study included 60 children between 3 and 15 years of age with chronic hepatitis C--30 treated and 30 not treated IFN-alpha (Intron A, Schering Plough). Percentage of NK cells (CD3-CD16+CD56+) was determined in all children using monoclonal antibodies (Becton-Dickinson) and flow cytometry before and after therapy.


RESULTS
After IFN-alpha therapy increase of the percentage NK cells, significantly higher in children with elimination HCV RNA and decrease NK cells in children no treated was observed. These observations underline significant part NK cells in antiviral response and suggest that IFN-alpha ability to increase this cells population is an important mechanism elimination of HCV infection.


CONCLUSIONS
Increase NK cells in children with chronic hepatitis C IFN-alpha treated may be determinate effectiveness of IFN therapy.
Woźniakowska-Gesicka
T
T
III Kliniki Pediatrii Instytutu Centrum Zdrowia Matki Polki w Lodzi.
Wiśniewska-Ligier
M
M
Zeman
K
K
Banasik
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha