Characterization of HCV NS3 Protease Variants in HCV/HIV-Coinfected Patients by Ultra-Deep Sequence Analysis: Relationship with Hepatic Fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Treatment of HCV/HIV coinfection is now largely based on utilization of direct acting agents. Pretreatment viral resistant-associated variants (RAVs) and host liver condition may affect the sustained virological response. In this study, we explored relative prevalence of protease resistance-associated mutations, the evolution of those RAVs after 12 weeks of pegylated interferon alfa exposure, and the role hepatic fibrosis might have on RAV display.

METHODS

Thirty nonresponder HCV/HIV-coinfected subjects were evaluated before and after 12 weeks of PegIFN treatment. Ultra-deep sequence analysis of NS3 RAVs was performed. Hepatic fibrosis was determined by sensitive computer-assisted histomorphometry determination.

RESULTS

At baseline, protease inhibitor RAVs were present in 73.3% of patients and expanded to 83.3% of patients after 12 weeks of PegIFN exposure. Q80K showed the highest prevalence before and after treatment at 46.7% and 56.7%, respectively. The presence of Q80K is positively correlated with percent collagen content of the liver tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

Key RAVs for HCV protease inhibitors are present in a major portion of the HCV/HIV-coinfected population before therapy. Some variants get selected after exposure. Correlation of Q80K with collagen content of the liver suggests that compartmentalization within the liver may contribute to persistence of mutations less fit than wildtype.

Integrated internist - addiction medicine - hepatology model for hepatitis C management for individuals on methadone maintenance

Despite a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among drug users, HCV evaluation and treatment acceptance are extremely low among these patients when referred from drug treatment facilities for HCV management. We sought to increase HCV treatment effectiveness among patients from a methadone maintenance treatment program (MMTP) by maintaining continuity of care. We developed, instituted and retrospectively assessed the effectiveness of an integrated, co-localized care model in which an internist-addiction medicine specialist from MMTP was embedded in the hepatitis clinic. Methadone maintenance treatment program patients were referred, evaluated by the internist and hepatologist in hepatitis clinic and provided HCV treatment with integration between both sites. Of 401 evaluated patients, anti-HCV antibody was detected in 257, 86% of whom were older than 40 years. Hepatitis C virus RNA levels were measured in 222 patients, 65 of whom were aviremic. Of 157 patients with detectable HCV RNA, 125 were eligible for referral to the hepatitis clinic, 76 (61%) of whom accepted and adhered with the referral. Men engaged in MMTP <36 months were significantly less likely to be seen in hepatitis clinic than men in MMTP more than 36 months (odds ratio = 7.7; 95% confidence interval 2.6-22.9) or women. We evaluated liver histology in 63 patients, and 83% had moderate to advanced liver disease. Twenty-four patients initiated treatment with 19 completing and 13 (54%) achieving sustained response. In conclusion, integrated care between the MMTP and the hepatitis clinic improves adherence with HCV evaluation and treatment compared to standard referral practices.

Improving noninvasive methods of assessing liver fibrosis in patients with hepatitis C virus/human immunodeficiency virus co-infection

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Liver fibrosis is a significant concern for patients with hepatitis C virus/human immunodeficiency virus co-infection. Fibrosis staging by biopsy is accurate, but costly and invasive. Several fibrosis prediction models using noninvasive biomarkers have been developed but are suboptimal in co-infected patients. We compared results from different staging models and ordinal regression with biopsy data.

METHODS

Data from the Adult Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Clinical Trials Group protocol A5178 were used to evaluate 5 models of fibrosis staging; areas under receiver-operator characteristic curves (AUROC) were assessed. Individual covariates were assessed with univariable regression and then entered into an ordinal logistic regression model from which a stage-wise index was developed.

RESULTS

Data from 173 patients were evaluated; 85% were on antiretroviral therapy, 31.2% had severe fibrosis (F3/F4), and 14% had cirrhosis (F4). Differences in CD4+ cell and platelets counts and international normalized ratio values were observed between those with and without F3/F4. Among existing models, the FIB-4 index ([age x AST])/[platelet count x (ALT)(1/2)]) performed best, with 88% specificity for F4 and greater than 86% negative predictive values for F3/F4, although AUROC values were low (0.56 +/- 0.03 for F3/F4). By using patients' demographic, clinical, and laboratory data, the ordinal regression model outperformed others, with an AUROC of 0.85 (standard error, 0.03) for predicting stage F3/F4 and 0.89 (standard error, 0.05) for stage 3 alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Current noninvasive methods of fibrosis assessment have poor discriminatory capacity in hepatitis C virus/human immunodeficiency virus co-infected patients. Ordinal regression analysis outperformed other noninvasive fibrosis prediction models. Longitudinal studies with paired biopsies will assist in refining the Ordinal Regression Index.

Hepatic SOCS3 expression is strongly associated with non-response to therapy and race in HCV and HCV/HIV infection

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The response rates of HCV infection to interferon therapy vary depending on viral and host factors. We hypothesized that key regulators of the IFN signaling pathway are predictive of treatment outcome.

METHODS

We measured the expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) in pretreatment liver biopsies. Staining quantitation was compared to treatment outcomes.

RESULTS

Forty-nine patients with HCV and 25 patients with HCV/HIV infection treated with peginterferon/ribavirin were analyzed. Pretreatment hepatic SOCS3 expression was higher in non-responders than responders. Genotype 1 responders had similar levels of SOCS3 as genotype 2/3 responders. African Americans (AA) had higher hepatic SOCS3 than non-AA. Pretreatment hepatic SOCS3 was the most powerful independent predictor of sustained virologic response (SVR), even more so than genotype by logistic regression analysis. Failure to achieve SVR and AA race were independently associated with high hepatic SOCS3 levels. The hepatic expression of STAT-1 did not differ between responders and non-responders.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate that hepatic SOCS3 is a stronger baseline predictor of antiviral response than viral genotype. Poor response to antiviral therapy in AA may be associated with higher hepatic SOCS3 expression.