Abstract
Abstract In patients with chronic HCV infection, a significant elevation in serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor has been shown. Different results have been found for the efficacy of interferon therapy. We studied the plasma levels of the soluble interleukin-2 receptor in primary non-responders who had undergone a re-treatment with pegylated interferon alpha 2b and ribavirin to evaluate the differences between responders and non-responders to this therapy. The study was performed on 15 patients with chronic HCV infection who had shown no response to primary therapy and on 15 healthy volunteers. The plasma levels of the soluble interleukin-2 receptor were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The patients underwent a therapy with pegylated interferon alpha 2b and ribavirin for 48 weeks. The plasma levels of the soluble interleukin-2 receptor were determined during therapy, and in the case of response, 24 weeks after therapy. Four out of 15 patients showed a sustained virological response after therapy. Before re-treatment, the soluble interleukin-2 receptor plasma levels were significantly higher in patients who showed no response to re-treatment with pegylated interferon alpha 2b/ribavirin compared with healthy controls (1552 [932−2225] pg/ml vs. 884 [489−1704] pg/ml, p = 0.003). There was no significant difference in soluble interleukin-2 receptor plasma levels before therapy between patients with sustained virological response (932 [840−1339] pg/ml) and healthy controls. Therapy had to be stopped in one patient due to thrombocytopenia. Plasma levels of the soluble interleukin-2 receptor seem to be a prognostic marker of sustained virological response in non-responders prior to a re-treatment with pegylated interferon alpha 2b and ribavirin.
Published Version
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