Chemokine CXCL10 at week 4 of treatment predicts sustained virological response in patients with chronic hepatitis C

J Interferon Cytokine Res. 2012 Aug;32(8):386-91. doi: 10.1089/jir.2012.0006. Epub 2012 Jul 16.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the predictive value of CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 concentrations before and after 4 and 12 weeks of treatment with pegylated interferon-α2b and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C infected with the hepatitis C virus genotype 1. The study included 46 adult patients (29 women and 17 men). Chemokine quantification in the serum was performed at baseline and after 1, 3, and 6 months of treatment by enzyme immunoassay. Chemokine responses were compared in patients achieving a sustained virological response to treatment (SVR, n=26) and the non-SVR group (n=20). The differences in the CXCL9 and CXCL10 concentrations between the SVR and non-SVR groups were statistically significant. A multivariant analysis showed a significant association between treatment failure and higher concentrations of CXCL10. A higher predictive value of CXCL10 concentrations after 4 weeks of treatment compared to pretreatment values has been found (area under the curve 0.9288 and 0.7942, respectively, P=0.016). CXCL10 concentrations above 250 pg/mL 4 weeks after the start of treatment were independently associated with non-SVR. In conclusion, the results of this study have shown that CXCL10 concentrations at the time of a rapid viral response (4 weeks) are better predictors of achieving SVR compared to baseline levels. Additionally, this study suggests an important role of CXCL9 as a biomarker of SVR in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Chemokine CXCL10 / blood*
  • Chemokine CXCL11 / blood
  • Chemokine CXCL9 / blood
  • Female
  • Hepacivirus / genetics
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / blood*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / virology
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polyethylene Glycols / therapeutic use*
  • Prognosis
  • Recombinant Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Viral Load

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Biomarkers
  • Chemokine CXCL10
  • Chemokine CXCL11
  • Chemokine CXCL9
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Ribavirin
  • peginterferon alfa-2b