Interferon (IFN)-gamma-inducible protein-10: association with histological results, viral kinetics, and outcome during treatment with pegylated IFN-alpha 2a and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C virus infection.
BACKGROUND
We investigated associations between interferon (IFN)-gamma-inducible protein (IP)-10 and liver histological results, viral kinetic response, and treatment outcome in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes 1-4.


METHODS
Plasma IP-10 was monitored before, during, and after treatment with pegylated IFN- alpha 2a and ribavirin in 265 HCV-infected patients.


RESULTS
In univariate analyses, a low baseline IP-10 level was significantly associated with low baseline viral load, rapid viral response (RVR), a sustained viral response (SVR), body mass index <25 kg/m2, and less-pronounced fibrosis, inflammation, and steatosis (for HCV genotypes other than 3). When the results of the univariate analyses were included in multivariate analyses, a low plasma IP-10 level, low baseline viral load, and genotype 2 or 3 infection were independent predictors of an RVR and SVR. IP-10 levels decreased 6 weeks into treatment and remained low in patients with an SVR. By contrast, plasma levels of IP-10 rebounded in patients who had detectable HCV RNA after the completion of treatment. Using cutoff IP-10 levels of 150 and 600 pg/mL for predicting an SVR in patients infected with HCV genotype 1 yielded a specificity and sensitivity of 81% and 95%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Baseline IP-10 levels are predictive of the response to HCV treatment.
Romero
Ana I
AI
Department of Virology, University of Göteborg, Göteborg, Sweden.
Lagging
Martin
M
Westin
Johan
J
Dhillon
Amar P
AP
Dustin
Lynn B
LB
Pawlotsky
Jean-Michel
JM
Neumann
Avidan U
AU
Ferrari
Carlo
C
Missale
Gabriele
G
Haagmans
Bart L
BL
Schalm
Solko W
SW
Zeuzem
Stefan
S
Negro
Francesco
F
Verheij-Hart
Elke
E
Hellstrand
Kristoffer
K
D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054357:Chemokine CXCL10; D019743:Chemokines, CXC / Q000097:blood*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D054357:Chemokine CXCL10; D019743:Chemokines, CXC; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; D007371:Interferon-gamma; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a