A novel ex vivo assay of interferon-based suppression, to predict the outcome of antiviral therapy for hepatitis C.
An ex vivo liver slice-culture method was used to develop a novel assay of pretherapy interferon-based suppression. To evaluate its clinical application, 45 consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis C were included. They underwent the ex vivo antiviral assay, followed by a 24-week course of therapy with peginterferon and ribavirin. A stepwise logistic regression model was used to estimate the relationship between sustained virological response and the presence of various clinicopathological parameters. The results indicated that the presence of an interferon-based suppression effect in the ex vivo assay (odds ratio [OR], 12.454 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.115-139.090]; P=.0405), clinically diagnosed liver cirrhosis (OR, 0.081 [95% CI, 0.011-0.584]; P=.0126), and the portal-inflammation score (OR, 4.220 [95% CI, 1.264-14.085]; P=.0192) were independent determinants of sustained virological response. In conclusion, this new assay serves as an independent predictor of sustained virological response in interferon-based antiviral therapy.
Yeh
Chau-Ting
CT
Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Medical Center, and Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. chauting@adm.cgmh.org.tw
Hsu
Chao-Wei
CW
Chang
Ming-Ling
ML
Sheen
I-Shyan
IS
Lin
Shi-Ming
SM
Lin
Chun-Jung
CJ
Lin
Chen-Chun
CC
Chen
Yi-Cheng
YC
Chen
Jeng-Chang
JC
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D019562:Viral Load; D014766:Viremia / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012367:RNA, Viral; D007372:Interferons