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Improved Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein Levels after Iron Reduction Therapy in HCV Patients. ISRN HEPATOLOGY 2014; 2014:875140. [PMID: 27335844 PMCID: PMC4890901 DOI: 10.1155/2014/875140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2013] [Accepted: 12/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background and Aims. To examine the changes in serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels after iron reduction by therapeutic phlebotomy in chronic hepatitis C patients. Methods. This retrospective study included 26 chronic hepatitis C patients. The patients were developed iron depletion by repeated therapeutic phlebotomies. Results. Iron reduction therapy significantly reduced the median level of serum AFP from 13 to 7 ng/mL, ALT from 96 to 50 IU/L, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) from 55 to 28 IU/L, and ferritin from 191 to 10 ng/mL (P < 0.001 for each). The rate of decline in the AFP level correlated positively only with that in GGT (r = 0.695, P = 0.001), although a spurious correlation was observed between the rates of decline for AFP and ALT. The AFP level normalized (<10 ng/mL) posttreatment in eight (50%) of 16 patients who had elevated pretreatment AFP levels. Normalized post-treatment ALT and GGT levels were seen in 12% (3 of 26) and 39% (7 of 18) of the patients, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified a post-treatment GGT level of <30 IU/L as an independent factor associated with post-treatment AFP normalization (odds ratio, 21; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-293; P = 0.024). Conclusions. Iron reduction by therapeutic phlebotomy can reduce serum AFP and GGT levels in chronic hepatitis C patients.
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Khaliq S, Latief N, Jahan S. Role of different regions of the hepatitis C virus genome in the therapeutic response to interferon-based treatment. Arch Virol 2013; 159:1-15. [PMID: 23851652 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-013-1780-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2013] [Accepted: 05/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is considered a significant risk factor in HCV-induced liver diseases and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nucleotide substitutions in the viral genome result in its diversification into quasispecies, subtypes and distinct genotypes. Different genotypes vary in their infectivity and immune response due to these nucleotide/amino acid variations. The current combination treatment for HCV infection is pegylated interferon α (PEG-IFN-α) with ribavirin, with a highly variable response rate mainly depending upon the HCV genotype. Genotypes 2 and 3 are found to respond better than genotypes 1 and 4, which are more resistant to IFN-based therapies. Different studies have been conducted worldwide to explore the basis of this difference in therapy response, which identified some putative regions in the HCV genome, especially in Core and NS5a, and to some extent in the E2 region, containing specific sequences in different genotypes that act differently with respect to the IFN response. In the review, we try to summarize the role of HCV proteins and their nucleotide sequences in association with treatment outcome in IFN-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saba Khaliq
- Department of Immunology, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan,
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Takeyasu M, Akuta N, Suzuki F, Seko Y, Kawamura Y, Sezaki H, Suzuki Y, Hosaka T, Kobayashi M, Kobayashi M, Arase Y, Ikeda K, Kumada H. Long-term interferon monotherapy reduces the risk of HCV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. J Med Virol 2012; 84:1199-207. [DOI: 10.1002/jmv.23288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Suk KT, Baik SK, Yoon JH, Cheong JY, Paik YH, Lee CH, Kim YS, Lee JW, Kim DJ, Cho SW, Hwang SG, Sohn JH, Kim MY, Kim YB, Kim JG, Cho YK, Choi MS, Kim HJ, Lee HW, Kim SU, Kim JK, Choi JY, Jun DW, Tak WY, Lee BS, Jang BK, Chung WJ, Kim HS, Jang JY, Jeong SW, Kim SG, Kwon OS, Jung YK, Choe WH, Lee JS, Kim IH, Shim JJ, Cheon GJ, Bae SH, Seo YS, Choi DH, Jang SJ. Revision and update on clinical practice guideline for liver cirrhosis. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY 2012; 18:1-21. [PMID: 22511898 PMCID: PMC3326994 DOI: 10.3350/kjhep.2012.18.1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2012] [Accepted: 03/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ki Tae Suk
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Soon Koo Baik
- Department of Internal Medicine and Cell Therapy and Tissue Engineering Center, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea
| | - Jung Hwan Yoon
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Youn Cheong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ajou University College of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Yong Han Paik
- Department of Internal Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chang Hyeong Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
| | - Young Seok Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Hospital Bucheon, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, Korea
| | - Jin Woo Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Dong Joon Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Sung Won Cho
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ajou University College of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Seong Gyu Hwang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cha University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Joo Hyun Sohn
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Guri, Korea
| | - Moon Young Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine and Cell Therapy and Tissue Engineering Center, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea
| | - Young Bae Kim
- Department of Pathology, Ajou University College of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Jae Geun Kim
- Department of Radiology, Ajou University College of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Yong Kyun Cho
- Department of Internal Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Moon Seok Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyung Joon Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Woong Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung Up Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ja Kyung Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin Young Choi
- Department of Radiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dae Won Jun
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University Seoul Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Won Young Tak
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
| | - Byung Seok Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Byoung Kuk Jang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Keimyung University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
| | - Woo Jin Chung
- Department of Internal Medicine, Keimyung University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
| | - Hong Soo Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Hospital Cheonan, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Jae Young Jang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Hospital Seoul, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Soung Won Jeong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Hospital Seoul, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang Gyune Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Hospital Bucheon, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, Korea
| | - Oh Sang Kwon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Incheon, Korea
| | - Young Kul Jung
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Incheon, Korea
| | - Won Hyeok Choe
- Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - June Sung Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea
| | - In Hee Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chonbuk National University College of Medicine, Jeonju, Korea
| | - Jae Jun Shim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Gab Jin Cheon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ulsan University College of Medicine, Gangneung, Korea
| | - Si Hyun Bae
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yeon Seok Seo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dae Hee Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kangwon National University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Se Jin Jang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea
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Analysis of interferon signaling by infectious hepatitis C virus clones with substitutions of core amino acids 70 and 91. J Virol 2011; 85:5986-94. [PMID: 21490101 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02583-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Substitution of amino acids 70 and 91 in the hepatitis C virus (HCV) core region is a significant predictor of poor responses to peginterferon-plus-ribavirin therapy, while their molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here we investigated these differences in the response to alpha interferon (IFN) by using HCV cell culture with R70Q, R70H, and L91M substitutions. IFN treatment of cells transfected or infected with the wild type or the mutant HCV clones showed that the R70Q, R70H, and L91M core mutants were significantly more resistant than the wild type. Among HCV-transfected cells, intracellular HCV RNA levels were significantly higher for the core mutants than for the wild type, while HCV RNA in culture supernatant was significantly lower for these mutants than for the wild type. IFN-induced phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT2 and expression of the interferon-inducible genes were significantly lower for the core mutants than for the wild type, suggesting cellular unresponsiveness to IFN. The expression level of an interferon signal attenuator, SOCS3, was significantly higher for the R70Q, R70H, and L91M mutants than for the wild type. Interleukin 6 (IL-6), which upregulates SOCS3, was significantly higher for the R70Q, R70H, and L91M mutants than for the wild type, suggesting interferon resistance, possibly through IL-6-induced, SOCS3-mediated suppression of interferon signaling. Expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress proteins were significantly higher in cells transfected with a core mutant than in those transfected with the wild type. In conclusion, HCV R70 and L91 core mutants were resistant to interferon in vitro, and the resistance may be induced by IL-6-induced upregulation of SOCS3. Those mechanisms may explain clinical interferon resistance of HCV core mutants.
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Ishii R, Togashi H, Iwaba A, Sato C, Haga H, Sanjo M, Okumoto K, Nishise Y, Ito JI, Watanabe H, Saito K, Okada A, Takahashi K, Saito T, Kawata S. (99m)Tc-GSA SPECT analysis was clinically useful to evaluate the effect of interferon in a patient with interferon non-responsive chronic hepatitis C. Ann Nucl Med 2011; 25:520-3. [PMID: 21461597 DOI: 10.1007/s12149-011-0484-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2010] [Accepted: 02/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We describe a 62-year-old woman with advanced chronic hepatitis C who showed no response to low-dose long-term interferon-beta monotherapy (3 MU, three times a week). The interferon monotherapy was continued for 2 years and 9 months. Despite this lack of response to interferon, the patient's clinical course was good and liver function assessed by (99m)Tc-galactosyl human serum albumin single photon emission computed tomography ((99m)Tc-GSA SPECT) analysis improved significantly. Improvement of the data obtained by (99m)Tc-GSA SPECT analysis justified continuation of the treatment. (99m)Tc-GSA SPECT analysis was clinically useful to evaluate the effect of interferon in a patient with interferon non-responsive chronic hepatitis C, despite a lack of reduction of the ALT level and HCV-RNA titer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rika Ishii
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yamagata University, Japan
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Sequence variability of HCV Core region: Important predictors of HCV induced pathogenesis and viral production. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2011; 11:543-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2011.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2010] [Revised: 01/17/2011] [Accepted: 01/21/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Namiki I, Nishiguchi S, Hino K, Suzuki F, Kumada H, Itoh Y, Asahina Y, Tamori A, Hiramatsu N, Hayashi N, Kudo M. Management of hepatitis C; Report of the Consensus Meeting at the 45th Annual Meeting of the Japan Society of Hepatology (2009). Hepatol Res 2010; 40:347-68. [PMID: 20394674 DOI: 10.1111/j.1872-034x.2010.00642.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The consensus meeting for the diagnosis, management and treatment for hepatitis C was held in 45(th) annual meeting for the Japan Society of Hepatology (JSH) in June 2009 where the recommendations and informative statements were discussed including organizers and presenters. The Several important informative statements and recommendations have been shown. This was the fourth JSH consensus meeting of hepatitis C, however, the recommendations have not been published in English previously. Thus, this is the first report of JSH consensus of hepatitis C. The rate of development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in HCV-infected patients in Japan is higher than in the USA, because the average age of the HCV-infected patients is greater and there are more patients with severe fibrosis of the liver than in the USA. In Japan, more than 60% of HCV-infected patients are genotype 1b infection, and they show lower response to perinterferon and ribavirin combination treatment. To improve the response rate is also an important issue in our country. To establish the original recommendations and informative statements to prevent the development of HCC is a very important issue in Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izumi Namiki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, Musashinoshi, Tokyo
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Kumada H, Okanoue T, Onji M, Moriwaki H, Izumi N, Tanaka E, Chayama K, Sakisaka S, Takehara T, Oketani M, Suzuki F, Toyota J, Nomura H, Yoshioka K, Seike M, Yotsuyanagi H, Ueno Y. Guidelines for the treatment of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis due to hepatitis C virus infection for the fiscal year 2008 in Japan. Hepatol Res 2010; 40:8-13. [PMID: 20156296 DOI: 10.1111/j.1872-034x.2009.00634.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In the 2008 guidelines for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C, pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) combined with ribavirin for 48 weeks are indicated for treatment-naive patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) of genotype 1. Treatment is continued for an additional 24 weeks (72 weeks total) in the patients who have remained positive for HCV RNA detectable by the real-time polymerase chain reaction at 12 weeks after the start of treatment, but who turn negative for HCV RNA during 13-36 weeks on treatment. Re-treatment is aimed to either eradicate HCV or normalize transaminase levels for preventing the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). For patients with compensated cirrhosis, the clearance of HCV RNA is aimed toward improving histological damages and decreasing the development of HCC. The recommended therapeutic regimen is the initial daily dose of 6 million international units (MIU) IFN continued for 2-8 weeks that is extended to longer than 48 weeks, if possible. IFN dose is reduced to 3 MIU daily in patients who fail to clear HCV RNA by 12 weeks for preventing the development of HCC. Splenectomy or embolization of the splenic artery is recommended to patients with platelet counts of less than 50 x 103/mm(3) prior to the commencement of IFN treatment. When the prevention of HCC is at issue, not only IFN, but also liver supportive therapy such as stronger neo-minophagen C, ursodeoxycholic acid, phlebotomy, branched chain amino acids (BCAA), either alone or in combination, are given. In patients with decompensated cirrhosis, by contrast, reversal to compensation is attempted.
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Tamura S, Sugawara Y, Yamashiki N, Kaneko J, Kokudo N, Makuuchi M. Pre-emptive antiviral therapy in living donor liver transplantation for hepatitis C: observation based on a single-center experience. Transpl Int 2009; 23:580-8. [PMID: 20028490 DOI: 10.1111/j.1432-2277.2009.01023.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Reports of large series in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) are scarce. Between 1996 and 2008, 105 LDLTs were performed at the University of Tokyo for HCV. Rapid induction of antiviral treatment with interferon (IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) was attempted per protocol regardless of the clinical presentation of recurrent HCV (pre-emptive treatment approach). Treatment was continued for 12 months after serum HCV-RNA became negative (ETR: end-of-treatment response) and judged as a sustained viral response (SVR) after another 6 months of negative results without treatment. A fixed treatment period was not defined unless an ETR was achieved (no-stopping approach). Flexible dose adjustments were allowed. Ninety-five patients were eligible for pre-emptive therapy. Forty-three (45%) patients experienced an ETR, and 32 (34%) achieved SVR. Nonadherence to full-dose INF and RBV had little impact on the viral response. Evaluation using the Kaplan-Meier method to incorporate the cumulative time-dependent nature of the no-stopping approach estimated SVR rate at 53% by the fifth year. Survival rate at 5 years was 79% for the HCV recipients and did not differ significantly from our non-HCV series. In LDLT for HCV, pre-emptive IFN-RBV-based treatment with the application of no-stopping approach is feasible and effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumihito Tamura
- Artificial Organ and Transplantation Division, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Akuta N, Suzuki F, Hirakawa M, Kawamura Y, Yatsuji H, Sezaki H, Suzuki Y, Hosaka T, Kobayashi M, Kobayashi M, Saitoh S, Arase Y, Ikeda K, Kumada H. A matched case-controlled study of 48 and 72 weeks of peginterferon plus ribavirin combination therapy in patients infected with HCV genotype 1b in Japan: amino acid substitutions in HCV core region as predictor of sustained virological response. J Med Virol 2009; 81:452-8. [PMID: 19152407 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.21400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Substitution of amino acid (aa) 70 and 91 in the core region of HCV genotype 1b is a useful pretreatment predictor of efficacy of 48-week peginterferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) therapy. Here, we determined the efficacy of 72-week PEG-IFN/RBV and the predictive factors to such therapy in a case-control study matched for sex, age, and periods from the start of treatment to initial point of HCV RNA-negative. We compared the treatment efficacy of 72-week regimen in 65 patients with that of 48-week in 130 patients, who were infected with HCV genotype 1b and treated with PEG-IFN/RBV. They consisted mainly of late virological responders (LVR) (HCV RNA-positive at 12 weeks and negative at 24 weeks after start of treatment). Sustained virological response (SVR) was achieved by 61.5% and 32.3% of patients of the 72- and 48-week groups, respectively, while non-virological response was noted in 9.2% and 29.2% of the respective groups. Multivariate analysis identified substitution of aa 70 and 91 (Arg70 and/or Leu91) and duration of treatment (72-week) as independent parameters that significantly influenced SVR. For Arg70 and/or Leu91 of core region, SVR rate was significantly higher in 72- (68.0%) than 48-week group (37.8%). For wild-type of ISDR, SVR rate was significantly higher in 72- (61.2%) than in 48-week group (29.3%). We conclude that 72-week PEG-IFN/RBV improves SVR rate for LVR, especially those with Arg70 and/or Leu91 of core region or wild-type of ISDR. Substitution of aa 70 and 91 is also a useful pretreatment predictor of response to 72-week PEG-IFN/RBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norio Akuta
- Department of Hepatology, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
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