title: Efficacy of human recombinant erythropoietin plus IFN-alpha in patients affected by chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: Determination of serum iron levels in patients affected by chronic hepatitis C is considered fundamental for studying the response to interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) treatment. IFN could induce anemia, which is promptly corrected by exogenous administration of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO). The aim of our study was to verify the possible beneficial effect of rHuEPO in patients affected by chronic hepatitis C and treated with IFN. Seventy consecutive patients (42 males and 28 females, mean age 46.4+/-5.2 years) affected by chronic hepatitis C were enrolled. In all patients, chronic hepatitis C was diagnosed on the basis of clinical and biological findings (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] serum levels at least 2-fold higher than normal values for at least 12 months and the presence of anti-HCV antibodies). All patients were negative for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, hepatitis D virus (HDV infection, and HIV infection. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Wilcoxon nonparametric sum rank test, the Spearman correlation rank test, and the Friedman ANOVA and Kendall coefficient of concordance. At the end of the treatment, our study series showed significant differences in serum levels of AST (p < 0.001), iron (p < 0.001), and ferritin (p < 0.001). At the end of the follow-up period, significant differences were seen in ALT, aspartate (AST), and iron ferritin and transferrin levels. All differences favored patients who received IFN-alpha and rHuEPO. We think that the depletion of circulating iron may improve the immune response impaired by iron accumulation in the liver. Our study confirms the important role played by iron in the response to IFN treatment, suggesting that the use of rHuEPO induces a better response to IFN in patients with chronic hepatitis C by activation of erythropoiesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Senescence, Urological and Neurological Sciences, University of Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Ignazio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Di Fazio
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Motta
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Musumeci
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Neri
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pistone
authors.forename: Mariano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malaguarnera
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004920:Erythropoiesis / Q000187:drug effects; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014168:Transferrin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014168:Transferrin; D004921:Erythropoietin; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase