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Hepatic apoptotic markers are not predictors for the virological response to interferon-based therapy in chronic

Resat Ozaras1, Veysel Tahan, Gulsen Ozbay

  • 1Departments of aInfection bGastroenterology cPathology dMicrobiology, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University eOkmeydani Research and Education Hospital fPathology Department gGastroenterology Department, Marmara University Medical School hPathology Department iInfection Department, Istanbul Research and Education Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.

European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
|May 27, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Apoptosis markers in liver tissue correlate with inflammation and fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C patients. However, these markers do not predict treatment response to interferon and ribavirin therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Immunology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects millions globally, often leading to chronic liver disease due to inadequate immune responses.
  • Hepatocyte apoptosis, particularly involving Fas/Fas ligand interactions, is a key mechanism in HCV pathogenesis.
  • Interferon-alpha (IFN-α) exhibits antiviral and immunomodulatory effects, with apoptosis being central to its action.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between apoptotic markers in liver tissue and treatment response in chronic HCV patients.
  • To determine if apoptotic markers can serve as predictors of therapeutic outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • 180 chronic HCV patients receiving interferon and ribavirin were analyzed across four centers.
  • Liver biopsies were assessed for apoptotic markers including Fas, Fas ligand, FADD, caspases 3, 8, and 9, and in-situ apoptosis.
  • Patient data on age, sex, treatment response, ALT levels, viral load, and genotype were collected.

Main Results:

  • Histological activity index and fibrosis showed correlations with CD95 staining, caspase-8 intensity, and portal/parenchymal Fas ligand scores.
  • No significant differences were observed in apoptotic parameters between patients who responded to treatment and those who did not.

Conclusions:

  • Apoptotic markers in liver tissue are linked to inflammation and fibrosis in chronic HCV.
  • The studied apoptotic parameters do not appear to be reliable predictors of treatment response in HCV patients.
Abstract

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