Serum WFA(+) -M2BP is a non-invasive liver fibrosis marker that can predict the efficacy of direct-acting anti-viral-based triple therapy for chronic hepatitis C.
BACKGROUND
The Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive human Mac-2-binding protein (WFA(+) -M2BP) is a new liver fibrosis glycobiomarker with unique fibrosis-related glyco-alteration. WFA(+) -M2BP is also a useful surrogate marker for the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma and for the liver functional reserve.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the diagnostic ability of WFA(+) -M2BP for liver fibrosis in the clinical setting and the clinical utility of WFA(+) -M2BP for predicting the efficacy of direct-acting anti-viral (DAA) treatment for chronic hepatitis C patients.


METHODS
The study included 159 genotype 1 hepatitis C patients who received DAA-based treatment (telaprevir or simeprevir) combined with pegylated-interferon alpha plus ribavirin (108 telaprevir- and 51 simeprevir-based triple treatment). The relation between baseline serum WFA(+) -M2BP and treatment efficacy was evaluated.


RESULTS
The serum WFA(+) -M2BP level significantly increased with the progress of liver fibrosis. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified 2.17 as the cut-off index (COI) for WFA(+) -M2BP for diagnosing advanced fibrosis. The sustained virological response (SVR) rate was significantly, negatively correlated with the serum WFA(+) -M2BP level. Multiple logistic regression analysis found a low serum WFA(+) -M2BP level (<2.17 COI) to be independently associated with SVR (odds ratio, 4.35, P = 0.027). Even for prior nonresponders and patients with the interleukin-28B minor allele or histological advanced fibrosis, treatment outcome was favourable for patients with a low serum WFA(+) -M2BP level.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum WFA(+) -M2BP is a non-invasive liver fibrosis marker useful for predicting the efficacy of DAA-based triple therapy for chronic hepatitis C patients.
Department of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan.|Department of Environmental Medicine and Infectious Disease, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
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K
Ura
Department of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan.|Department of Environmental Medicine and Infectious Disease, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
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Furusyo
Department of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan.|Department of Environmental Medicine and Infectious Disease, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
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E
Ogawa
Department of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan.
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T
Hayashi
Department of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan.
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H
Mukae
Department of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan.
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Shimizu
Department of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan.
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Toyoda
Department of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan.|Department of Environmental Medicine and Infectious Disease, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
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M
Murata
Kyushu General Internal Medicine Center, Haradoi Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan.
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J
Hayashi
D000368:Aged; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000097:blood*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015415:Biomarkers; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D037121:Plant Lectins / Q000097:blood*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D034781:Receptors, N-Acetylglucosamine / Q000097:blood*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069616:Simeprevir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009842:Oligopeptides; D037121:Plant Lectins; D034781:Receptors, N-Acetylglucosamine; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C114782:TAA90K protein, human; C040129:wisteria lectin; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C486464:telaprevir; D000069616:Simeprevir; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b