title: HCV genotype 3 and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA)-IgM are independently associated with histological features of NASH in HCV-infected patients.
abstract: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) enhances the risk of progressive liver disease. In chronic hepatitis C (CHC), liver steatosis is frequent, especially in genotype 3, but its clinical significance is debated. As squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA)-IgM has been associated with advanced liver disease and risk of tumour development, we evaluated its occurrence in CHC and the possible relation with NASH at liver biopsy. Using a validated ELISA, serum SCCA-IgM was measured in 91 patients with CHC at the time of liver biopsy performed before antiviral treatment, at the end of treatment and 6 months thereafter, and in 93 HCV-negative patients with histological diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, as controls. SCCA-IgM was detected in 33% of CHC patients and in 4% of controls. This biomarker was found more elevated in CHC patients with histological NASH, and at multivariate analysis, SCCA-IgM and HCV genotype 3 were independently associated with NASH [OR (95% CI): 6.94 (1.21-40) and 27.02 (4.44-166.6)]. As predictors of NASH, HCV genotype 3 and SCCA-IgM had a specificity and a sensitivity of 97% and 44%, and of 95% and 27%, respectively. PPV and NPV were 80% and 86% for HCV genotype 3 vs 73% and 72% for SCCA-IgM. In patients with sustained virologic response to therapy, SCCA-IgM levels decreased significantly, while these remained unchanged in nonresponders. In conclusion, SCCA-IgM is detectable in one-third of patients with CHC and significantly correlates with histological NASH.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martini
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy.|Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fattovich
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guido
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bugianesi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Biasiolo
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ieluzzi
authors.affiliation: Xeptagen, VEGA Park, Venice, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gallotta
authors.affiliation: Xeptagen, VEGA Park, Venice, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fassina
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Merkel
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gatta
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Pathology, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.|Division Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Negro
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pontisso
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm / Q000097:blood*; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D015843:Serpins / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D015843:Serpins; C051072:squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen
keywords: HCV genotype 3; SCCA-IgM; nonalcoholic steatohepatitis