Dynamic interplay between CXCL levels in chronic Hepatitis C patients treated by Interferon

Background: Combined pegylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin therapy has sustained virological response (SVR) rates of 54% to 61%. Pretreatment predictors of SVR to interferon therapy have not been fully investigated yet. The current study assesses a group of chemokines that may predict treatment response in Egyptian patients with chronic HCV infection. Patients and methods: CXCL5, CXCL9, CXCL11, CXCL12, CXCL 13, CXCL 16 chemokines and E-Cadherin were assayed in 57 chronic HCV patients' sera using quantitative ELISA plate method. All studied patients were scheduled for combined pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin therapy (32 patients received pegylated interferon alpha 2b, and 25 patients received pegylated interferon alpha 2a). Quantitative hepatitis C virus RNA was done by real time RT-PCR and HCV genotyping by INNOLIPAII. Results: There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in baseline HCV RNA levels between responders and non-responders to interferon. A statistically significant difference in CXCL13 (p = 0.017) and E-Cadherin levels (P = 0.041) was reported between responders and nonresponders at week 12. Significant correlations were found between changes in the CXCL13 levels and CXCL9, CXCL16, E-cadherin levels as well as between changes in E-cadherin levels and both CXCL16 and ALT levels that were maintained during follow up. Also, significant changes have been found in the serum levels of CXCL5, CXCL13, and CXCL16 with time (before pegylated interferon alpha 2 a and alpha 2 b therapy, and at weeks 12 and 24) with no significant difference in relation to interferon type and response to treatment. Conclusion: Serum levels of CXCL13 and E-Cadherin could be used as surrogate markers to predict response of combined PEG IFN-alpha/RBV therapy, especially at week 12. However, an extended study including larger number of patients is needed for validation of these findings.