title: [Gene expression profiling in the first twelve weeks of treatment in chronic hepatitis C patients].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gene expression profiling in the first weeks of treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C may contribute to better evaluate the response to interferon-based therapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the gene expression profiles of early responders and non-responders before, and after 12 weeks of treatment with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gene expression profiles were analysed in 12 patients with chronic hepatitis C, and scheduled for treatment with peginterferon alpha and ribavirin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 12 patients studied, six showed a complete early virological response, while six failed to control viremia. In early responders, treatment with peginterferon and ribavirin induced an increased expression of a larger number of interferon-induced genes (ISG15, IFI6, IFI44L, IFI27, MX1, OASL, IRF7, IFIT3, IFITM1, EIF2AK2, HERC5 and APOBEC3) than in non-responders (ISG15, IFI44L, IFI27, IRF7, USP18) in the first twelve weeks of treatment (P<0.05). In both groups, there were changes in the levels of certain genes poorly described in the treatment of hepatitis C so far.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The gene expression profiles described in this study provide a new insight to understanding the pathogenesis of the disease and treatment effect. The more marked effect of the treatment on the expression of interferon-response genes observed in early responders could explain their better control of viral load.
authors: Unidad de Investigación en Infección e Inmunidad, Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Clínico Universitario, IECSCYL, Valladolid, España. jimenezsousa@yahoo.es
authors: María Ángeles
authors: MÁ
authors: Jiménez-Sousa
authors: Raquel
authors: R
authors: Almansa
authors: Concha
authors: C
authors: de la Fuente
authors: Agustín
authors: A
authors: Caro-Patón
authors: Lourdes
authors: L
authors: Ruiz
authors: Gloria
authors: G
authors: Sánchez-Antolín
authors: José Manuel
authors: JM
authors: González
authors: Rocío
authors: R
authors: Aller
authors: Noelia
authors: N
authors: Alcaide
authors: Pilar
authors: P
authors: Largo
authors: Raúl
authors: R
authors: Ortiz de Lejarazu
authors: Jesús F
authors: JF
authors: Bermejo-Martín
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000235:genetics; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007372:Interferons; D007378:Interleukins / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D014766:Viremia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000821:virology; D000095022:Interferon Lambda
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007372:Interferons; D007378:Interleukins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin; C000624353:interferon-lambda, human; D000095022:Interferon Lambda; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a