Overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 and transforming growth factor-beta 1 is an independent predictor of poor virological response to interferon therapy in chronic HCV genotype 4 patients

Background/Aims: COX-2 and TGF-1 are overexpressed in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and are related to hepatitis pathogenesis and hepatic fibrosis. The current study investigated the relationship between pretreatment COX-2 and TGF-1 hepatic expression in HCV genotype 4 and the virological response to interferon therapy. Patients and Methods: Liver biopsies of 55 patients with HCV infection genotype 4 were selected together with 10 liver biopsies as control. The patients clinicopathological data were collected. Immunohistochemistry was done using anti-COX-2 and anti-TGF-1 antibodies. Statistical tests were used to determine the association between both COX-2 and TGF-1 expression in relation to clinicopathological parameters and response to interferon therapy. Results: COX-2 was upregulated especially in nonresponders and was an independent predictor of poor virological response. However, COX-2 showed no association with other clinicopathological features. TGF-1 was upregulated and associated with nonresponders, histological activity, and fibrosis stage. There was no association between TGF-1 and other clinicopathological features. There was an association between COX-2 and TGF-1 immunoexpression. Conclusion: Overexpression of COX-2 and TGF-1 is an independent predictor for poor outcome of interferon and ribavirin therapy and these might be useful markers for the response to treatment. Both molecules are associated together; however, their role during hepatitis treatment has to be clarified.