A new prognostic test for the efficiency of antiviral therapy for chronic hepatisis C in adults and children as a principle of personified medicine

At the present time, the basis for the etiotropic therapy of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is the long-term use of interferon (IFN) preparations. The prediction of the efficiency of performed antiviral therapy (AVT) is of prime importance in choosing its optimal regimens. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDC) are potent producers of type 1 IFN in response to viral infections, particularly play an important role in the pathogenesis of CHC and in the formation of a response to AVT. Subjects and methods. Thirty-seven patients (13 children and 24 adults) with CHC were examined at different stages of AVT. The IFN-producing function of PDC was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with the prestimulation of ODN2216 and IL-3. Results. AVT was shown to stimulate the production of IFN in PDC in the patients with CHC. The patients who achieved a sustained virologic response at 12 weeks of therapy had signif icantly high values of IFN production in PDC (1558±278 pg/ml in our test conditions) while those who did not had a substantially lower IFN elaboration in PDC (69±54 pg/ml; р < 0.005). In this connection, the rise of IFN genesis in PDC at 12 weeks of therapy may serve as a reliable prognostic test for the efficiency of performed therapy. Conclusion. The significantly higher values of IFN production in PDC are a reliable predictor for the efficiency of achieving a sustained virologic response.

plasmacytoid dendritic cells, antiviral therapy, interferon, chronic hepatitis C