Effectiveness of interferon-alpha therapy in chronic hepatitis C is associated with the amount of interferon-alpha receptor mRNA in the liver.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS:

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between interferon-alpha receptor mRNA in the liver and the response to interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C.

METHODS:

Interferon-alpha receptor mRNA was quantified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction using liver biopsies from 40 patients, comprising 20 responders and 20 non-responders to subsequent interferon therapy.

RESULTS:

The amount of interferon-alpha receptor mRNA was significantly larger in interferon-responders (0.72+/-0.12) than non-responders (0.26+/-0.08) (p<0.01). Regardless of the response to interferon, histological activity index scores and the amount of HCV-RNA showed significant inverse correlation to the amount of interferon-alpha receptor mRNA, whereas the HCV-RNA genotype was not associated with the amount of interferon-alpha receptor mRNA. Logistic analysis and multiple regression analysis showed that the amount of interferon-alpha receptor mRNA was significantly associated with the efficacy of interferon (p=0.0275), but not with fibrosis of the liver (p= 0.2726).

CONCLUSIONS:

Our results suggest that the amount of interferon-alpha receptor mRNA is an important factor determining the response to interferon, and may be a new predictor of interferon response in chronic hepatitis C.

• Authors: R Fukuda, N Ishimura, Y Kushiyama, N Moriyama, S Ishihara, S Nagasawa, T Miyake, M Niigaki, S Satoh, S Sakai, S Akagi, M Watanabe, S Fukumoto
• Journal: Journal of hepatology (J Hepatol) Vol. 26 Issue 3 Pg. 455-61 (Mar 1997) ISSN: 0168-8278 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 9075649 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Actins
• Antiviral Agents
• DNA Primers
• Interferon alpha-2
• Interferon-alpha
• RNA, Messenger
• RNA, Viral
• Receptors, Interferon
• Recombinant Proteins
• Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta

Topics

• Actins (genetics)
• Antiviral Agents (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Chronic Disease
• DNA Primers (chemistry)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Hepacivirus (genetics)
• Hepatitis C (metabolism, pathology, therapy)
• Humans
• Injections, Intramuscular
• Interferon alpha-2
• Interferon-alpha (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Liver (chemistry)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Predictive Value of Tests
• RNA, Messenger (analysis)
• RNA, Viral (analysis)
• Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta
• Receptors, Interferon (analysis, genetics)
• Recombinant Proteins
• Treatment Outcome