title: Cytokine network in nonresponding chronic hepatitis C patients with genotype 1: role of triple therapy with interferon alpha, ribavirin, and ursodeoxycholate.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  (i) to characterize the profile of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL 10, Fas-ligand and transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta), chronic hepatitis C (HCV) patients with genotype 1; (ii) to determine the influence of triple therapy (TT) with interferon alpha (IFN alpha) + ribavirin + ursodeoxycholic acid on these cytokines and (iii) to establish the relationship between the pro-inflammatory cytokines and the outcome of treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  22 patients infected with HCV-genotype 1 a/b and non responsive to IFN-alpha monotherapy were enrolled in the TT. The controls were 49 HCV naïve patients with genotype 1 a/b. Cytokine levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The baseline TNF alpha values (pg/mL) in the sustained responders (SRs) (63+/-3) were significantly lower than non-responders (NRs) (140+/-16) (p < 0.001). Baseline Fas (ng/mL) levels were also lower in SRs (4.3+/-0.2) than NRs (5.4+/-0.4) (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fas and TNF alpha may be used as serological markers of inflammation and effectiveness of therapy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Pharmacology, E-240, Sunnybrook & Women's College Health Sciences Centre, Department of Pharmacology and Medicine, University of Toronto, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5, Canada. manuela@sten.sunnybrook.utoronto.ca
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Neuman
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Blendis
authors.forename: N H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Shear
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Malkiewicz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sapir
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Halpern
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brill
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Peretz
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Magazinik
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Konikoff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012254:Ribavirin; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid