Prediction of sofosbuvir response using interleukin-6 serum level and single nucleotide polymorphism of interferon...

Area of Science:

• Hepatology and Viral Gastroenterology
• Pharmacogenomics and Drug Efficacy
• Immunology and Inflammatory Markers

Background:

• Chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, particularly genotype 4, affects a significant portion of the Egyptian population.
• Sofosbuvir is a key antiviral medication for HCV, with its efficacy influenced by host genetic factors and inflammatory markers like IL-6.
• Predicting treatment response is crucial for optimizing HCV clearance strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the early efficacy of Sofosbuvir-based therapies for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
• To investigate the predictive value of INFL-4 gene polymorphism on Sofosbuvir treatment response.
• To compare the antiviral efficacy of dual (Sofosbuvir + Ribavirin or Peg-IFN) versus triple (Sofosbuvir + Ribavirin + Peg-IFN) therapy regimens.

Main Methods:

• Real-time PCR was used to quantify HCV RNA levels at three time points in 100 HCV patients.
• Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) genotyping of the INFL-4 gene was performed using real-time PCR.
• Serum Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were measured by ELISA before, during, and after treatment.

Main Results:

• The INFL-4 gene polymorphism (∆G/∆G, TT/TT, ∆G/TT) did not demonstrate a significant impact on Sofosbuvir treatment response.
• Serum IL-6 levels were elevated in HCV patients compared to healthy individuals and increased during treatment before decreasing.
• Relapse was observed in 13 patients at 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR 12).

Conclusions:

• The INFL-4 gene SNP does not appear to influence the efficacy of Sofosbuvir therapy for Hepatitis C.
• Dual Sofosbuvir combination therapy demonstrated equivalent antiviral efficacy to triple therapy.
• Interferon (IFN) may be dispensable in Sofosbuvir-based treatment regimens for HCV, simplifying treatment protocols.