In:
Antiviral Therapy, SAGE Publications, Vol. 16, No. 7 ( 2011-10), p. 1081-1091
Abstract:
Interleukin (IL)-6, a pleiotropic cytokine, is increased in various types of chronic liver disease, including chronic hepatitis C (CHC). It was reported recently that IL-6 is associated with insulin resistance, iron metabolism and interferon resistance, which may affect the outcome of antiviral treatment. In this study, we investigated the association of serum IL-6 levels with outcomes of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) combination therapy. Methods We included 149 CHC patients and measured serum IL-6 levels at baseline and at 4, 8 and 12 weeks, and the end of treatment in 49 patients. We performed univariate and multivariate regression analyses for the association of IL-6 levels and clinical and laboratory parameters and treatment responses. Results Serum IL-6 levels were significantly higher in CHC patients than healthy subjects. Pretreatment IL-6 levels of male patients were inversely correlated with sustained virological response (SVR) in univariate analysis ( P=0.012). In male patients with SVR, serum IL-6 levels decreased significantly at 4 weeks of treatment ( P=0.029) and remained significantly lower than those of non-SVR patients after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of PEG-IFN plus RBV therapy. Conclusions Our results suggest that baseline levels of IL-6, as well as their decrease during treatment, are correlated to outcomes of PEG-IFN plus RBV therapy in male patients. Further analyses of IL-6 may provide new strategies for difficult-to-treat CHC patients and prevention of hepatocarcinogenesis.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1359-6535
,
2040-2058
Language:
English
Publisher:
SAGE Publications
Publication Date:
2011
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2118396-X
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1339842-8
SSG:
15,3