Inducible protein-10 as a predictive marker of antiviral hepatitis C treatment:A systematic review

To investigate interferon-γ-inducible protein-10’s (IP-10) potential to anticipate rapid (RVR)- and sustained virological responses (SVR) to chronic hepatitis C (CHC) treatment. METHODSWe included case series examining RVR or SVR in relation to 24 or 48 wk treatment for CHC, in patients treatment free for at least six months, with genotype 1 or 4, and in relation to 24 wk treatment for genotype 2 and 3, with pegylated interferon in combination with ribavirin. Patients had to have both a baseline IP-10 level as well as a hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA determination 4 wk after treatment initiation or 24 wk after end of treatment. Studies including patients with liver diseases other than CHC, human immunodeficiency virus-infection, treatment with immunosuppresents or cytostatica, alcohol dependency or active intravenous drug-use were excluded. We found 81 articles by searching the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. Eight studies were eligible for inclusion. Their quality were assesed using an 18 point checklist for case series, developed using a modified Delphi technique. Information was extracted from the articles, and no raw data was requisitioned. The review protocol was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (reg. number: CRD42014008736). RESULTSThree studies reported on baseline IP-10 level in association with RVR. A signigficant association was found for HCV genotype 1 infection by two studies. Only two studies reported on HCV genotype 4 infected and genotype 2 and 3 infected patients, respectively. A trend was seen for an association between RVR and baseline IP-10 for genotype 4, while no association was found for genotype 2 and 3. Seven studies provided information regarding baseline IP-10 and SVR. Following the pattern regarding rapid virological response all five studies examining SVR in relation to baseline IP-10 levels for HCV, genotype 1 infected patients showed a significant association. Likewise a significant association was seen for HCV, genotype 4 infected, while no association was found for HCV, genotype 2 and 3 infected. Though only two studies examined the assosiation for HCV genotype 4 infected and HCV genotype 2 and 3 infected respectively. CONCLUSIONWe found indications of a possible association between baseline IP-10 level and virological responses in patients with CHC genotype 1 and 4.

Hepatitis C virus therapy with peg-interferon and ribavirin in Myanmar: A resource-constrained country

AIM To investigate peg-interferon(peg-IFN) and ribavirin(RBV) therapy in Myanmar and to predict sustained virologic response(SVR).METHODS This single-center, open-label, study was conducted in Myanmar between 2009 and 2014. A total of 288 patients infected with HCV genotypes 1, 2, 3 and 6 were treated with peg-IFN alpha-2a(180 μg/wk) or alpha-2b(50 to 100 μg as a weight-based dose) and RBV as a weight-based dose(15 mg/kg/d). Treatment duration was 48 wk for genotypes 1 and 6, 24 wk for genotype 2, and 24 or 48 wk for genotype 3 based on rapid virologic response(RVR). Those co-infected with hepatitis B received 48 wk of therapy.RESULTS Overall, SVR was achieved for 82% of patients and the therapy was well tolerated. All patients achieved SVR at equivalent rates regardless of HCV genotype(P = 0.314). Low fibrosis scores(P < 0.001), high baseline albumin levels(P = 0.028) and low baseline viral loads(P = 0.029) all independently predicted SVR. On the other hand, IL-28 B TT and CC genotypes were not found to significantly predict SVR(P = 0.634; P = 0.618). Among those who completed treatment, the occurrence of RVR showed a > 96% positive predictive value for achieving SVR. Treatment duration did not significantly impact the likelihood of achieving SVR for patients infected with genotype 3 HCV(P = 0.371). The most common adverse events were fatigue(71%) and poor appetite(60%). Among patients with genotype 3 HCV, more patients in the 48-wk treatment group required erythropoietin than in the 24-wk treatment group(61.1% vs 49.2%).CONCLUSION SVR rates were high with peg-IFN and RBV therapy in Myanmar. Fibrosis scores, baseline albumin, HCV RNA levels and RVR independently predicted SVR.

Prevalence of abnormal glycometabolism in patients with chronic hepatitis C and related risk factors in China

Background An epidemiologic link between hepatitis C virus （HCV） and abnormal glycometabolism had been established.This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of type 2 diabetes rnellitus and insulin resistance,and to explore the relation between insulin resistance and hepatitis C virus genotype,serum hepatitis C virus-RNA level in chronic hepatitis C（CHC） patients.Methods Three hundred and fifty-nine consecutive patients （CHC,n=296;chronic hepatitis B （CHB）,n=63） were evaluated.HCV genotyping was performed by restriction fragment method and serum hepatitis C virus-RNA quantified PCR for all CHC patients in the baseline serum.Fasting levels of insulin and glucose were measured in all patients and the homeostatic assessment of insulin resistance was calculated in the baseline serum.Results Type 2 diabetes mellitus was diagnosed in 15.5% of 296 CHC patients.Insulin resistance was present in 23.8% of the 235 nondiabetic CHC patients,in 23.1% of the 182 nondiabetic and noncirrhotic CHC patients,and associated with high serum HCV RNA level （OR： 1.754;95% CI：1.207-2.548,P=0.003） and age 〉40 years （OR.3.542;95% CI：1.257-9.978,P=0.017）.Insulin resistance was less frequent in CHB than in matched CHC （7.9% vs.21.4%respectively,P 〈0.0001）.Conclusion The incidence of insulin resistance in CHC was significantly higher than that in CHB patients,associated with high serum HCV RNA level and age 〉40 years.