title: Total HCV core antigen assay: a new marker of hepatitis C viremia for monitoring the progress of therapy.
abstract: The ability of the total hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen assay was evaluated for monitoring the therapeutic responses of HCV-infected patients treated with interferon. The ability to detect and quantitate an independent structural protein component of HCV, in the presence of circulating antibodies, makes this assay a valuable new tool in diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Measurement of total core antigen showed a strong dynamic correlation with HCV RNA data and may serve as an alternative direct marker of viral infection. In addition, with the advent of additional treatment protocols, a rapid, reliable assay for changes in HCV load may permit more frequent patient assessment and tailoring of the therapeutic regimen.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Virologia, Università degli Studi, Milano, Italy. alessandro.zanetti@unimi.it
authors.forename: Alessandro R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Zanetti
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Romanò
authors.forename: Maurizia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brunetto
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colombo
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bellati
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tackney
mesh_terms: D001681:Biological Assay; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D018450:Disease Progression; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D014766:Viremia / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D014758:Viral Core Proteins; D007372:Interferons