IP-10 in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with high-dose interferon.
BACKGROUND
Interferon-g-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) serum levels are associated with IL28B genotype and may predict response to interferon÷ribavirin-based therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients. Our aim was to relate IP-10 levels before and during treatment to treatment outcome, viral HCV-RNA kinetics and IL28B genotype.


METHODS
A cohort of chronic hepatitis C patients was treated with high-dose interferon for six weeks, followed by standard peginterferon÷ ribavirin for 24 or 48 weeks. IP-10 and HCV-RNA levels were frequently determined before, during and after treatment.


RESULTS
IP-10 levels increased from log2.56 pg÷ml at baseline to log3.48 pg÷ml at Day 1 and gradually diminished thereafter. IP-10 levels at any time point were not statistically different between patients with or without sustained viral response (SVR). Patients with IL28B CC genotype had significantly lower baseline IP-10 levels (p = 0.019) and a higher increase of IP-10 levels from baseline to Day 1 than patients with IL28B non-CC genotypes (p = 0.015). Patients with HCV-RNA decline &#8805; 2.28log10 at Day 1 had significantly lower baseline IP-10 levels (p = 0.016) and a higher increase of IP-10 levels from baseline to Day1 (p = 0.047) than patients with HCV-RNA decline of < 2.28log10 at Day 1.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients treated with high induction dose interferon, IP-10 levels at any time point were not predictive for SVR. Low baseline IP-10 levels and a higher increase of IP-10 levels from baseline to Day 1 were associated with IL28B CC genotype and HCV-RNA decline &#8805; 2.28log10 at Day 1. This suggests that, in our cohort, for prediction of SVR the added value of IP-10 to IL28B genotype and early viral kinetics is limited.
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
S B
SB
Willemse
H W
HW
Reesink
K
K
Ladee
J
J
Karlas
H C
HC
Gelderblom
R
R
Molenkamp
J
J
Schinkel
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D054357:Chemokine CXCL10 / Q000097:blood*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007378:Interleukins / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load; D055815:Young Adult; D000095022:Interferon Lambda
D054357:Chemokine CXCL10; D007372:Interferons; D007378:Interleukins; D012367:RNA, Viral; C114753:CXCL10 protein, human; C000624353:interferon-lambda, human; D000095022:Interferon Lambda