Matrix-derived serum markers in monitoring liver fibrosis in children with chronic hepatitis B treated with interferon alpha.

Abstract

AIM:

To evaluate prospectively 4 selected serum fibrosis markers (tenascin, hyaluronan, collagen VI, TIMP-1) before, during and 12 mo after IFN treatment of children with chronic hepatitis B.

METHODS:

Forty-seven consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis B (range 4-16 years, mean 8 years) underwent IFN treatment (3 MU tiw for 20 wk). Fibrosis stage and inflammation grade were assessed in a blinded fashion before and 12 mo after end of treatment. Serum fibrosis markers were determined using automated assays.

RESULTS:

IFN treatment improved histological inflammation but did not change fibrosis in the whole group or in subgroups. Only hyaluronan correlated significantly with histological fibrosis(r = 0.3383, P = 0.021). Basal fibrosis markers did not differ between responders (42.5%) and nonresponders(57.5%). During IFN treatment only serum tenascin decreased significantly in the whole group and in nonresponders. When pretreatment values were compared to values 12 mo after therapy, TIMP-1 increased in all patients and in nonresponders, and hyaluronan decreased in all patients and in responders.

CONCLUSION:

Tenascin reflects hepatic fibrogenesis and inflammation which decreases during IFN treatment of children with chronic hepatitis B. TIMP-1 correlates with nonresponse and hyaluronan with histological fibrosis.

• Authors: Dariusz-Marek Lebensztejn, Maria-Elzbieta Sobaniec-Lotowska, Maciej Kaczmarski, Michael Voelker, Detlef Schuppan
• Journal: World journal of gastroenterology (World J Gastroenterol) Vol. 12 Issue 21 Pg. 3338-43 (Jun 07 2006) ISSN: 1007-9327 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16733849 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Biomarkers
• Collagen Type VI
• Extracellular Matrix Proteins
• Interferon-alpha
• Tenascin
• Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1
• Hyaluronic Acid

Topics

• Adolescent
• Antiviral Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Biomarkers (blood)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Collagen Type VI (blood)
• Extracellular Matrix Proteins (blood)
• Female
• Hepatitis C, Chronic (blood, drug therapy)
• Humans
• Hyaluronic Acid (blood)
• Inflammation
• Interferon-alpha (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Liver (drug effects, pathology)
• Liver Cirrhosis (blood, pathology)
• Male
• Prospective Studies
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Tenascin (blood)
• Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 (blood)
• Treatment Outcome