Author/Authors :
Alavian Seyed-Moayed نويسنده , Miri Seyyed Mohammad نويسنده Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Tehran, IR Iran. 2) Kowsar Corporation, Central Office, Hoensbroek, Netherlands Seyyed Mohammad , Karimi Elizee Pegah نويسنده Tehran Hepatitis Center, Tehran , Behnava Bita نويسنده Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver diseases, Tehran, IR Iran , Keshvari Maryam نويسنده Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization research Center, Tehran, IR Iran , Salimi Shima نويسنده Middle East Liver Disease Center, Tehran, IR Iran , Sharafi Heidar نويسنده Molecular Division, Iran Hepatitis Network, Tehran, IR Iran , Bokharaei-Salim Farah نويسنده Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran
University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran , Keyvani Hosein نويسنده Department of Virology, Iran University of Medical
Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
Abstract :
Background Sustained virologic response (SVR) to
pegylated-interferon (PegIFN) and ribavirin (RBV) in hepatitis C virus
(HCV)-infected patients could be predicted by detection of serum HCV RNA
whereas detection of HCV RNA in other reservoirs such as peripheral
blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) for prediction of treatment response is
still a mystery. Objectives This study aimed at assessing the prediction
of SVR by detection of HCV RNA in PBMCs or serum in patients during
treatment. Methods In a cohort study (2011 to 2014), 100 chronic HCV
patients at Tehran Hepatitis Center were treated with PegIFN and RBV.
Serum HCV RNA level was measured at baseline, 4, 12, and 24 weeks during
treatment and at 24 weeks after termination of treatment. Meanwhile, HCV
RNA was evaluated in PBMCs at weeks 4, 12, and 24 during the treatment.
Results Out of 100 patients treated in this study, 91 completed the
course of treatment. Most patients were young males infected with HCV
genotype 1. Cirrhosis and previous history of treatment was found in
16.5% and 26.5% of patients. Sustained virologic response was achieved
in 65 (71.4%) patients. Among baseline parameters, only female gender
was significantly associated with SVR. Undetectable serum HCV RNA at
week 4 (OR = 4.74) and week 12 (OR = 11.63) of treatment predicted SVR
rate while the same was not true for detection of serum HCV RNA at week
24 of treatment. Moreover, detection of HCV RNA in PBMCs at weeks 4 and
12 of treatment was not associated with the rate of SVR, while absence
of HCV RNA in PBMCs at week 24 of treatment was associated with SVR (OR
= 4.55). Conclusions Detection of HCV RNA in PBMCs, especially at week
24 of treatment with PegIFN and RBV, could be considered as an
additional marker for prediction of treatment response. It is
recommended to assess HCV on-treatment kinetic in PBMCs of patients
treated with direct-acting antiviral agents for prediction of treatment
response.
