Abstract
T cell immune responses may be important for the elimination of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection during antiviral treatment. In the present study, the kinetics of T cell responses to HCV antigens (NS3-4 and core) were prospectively assessed and were correlated with virologic outcome in 31 patients with chronic HCV infection undergoing peginterferon- alpha 2a/ribavirin therapy. NS3-4--directed T helper cell type 1 (Th1) responses were detected in 77% of patients with a significant decline in viremia at treatment week 4 but were not detected not in those with a slower viral decline. The detectability of NS3-4--directed Th1 responses was associated with faster viremia clearance, was short-lived, and did not seem to be associated with the final treatment outcome.
Publication types
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
-
Adult
-
Antigens, Viral / immunology
-
Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage
-
Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
-
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
-
Drug Therapy, Combination
-
Female
-
Hepacivirus / immunology*
-
Hepatitis C, Chronic / blood
-
Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
-
Hepatitis C, Chronic / immunology*
-
Humans
-
Interferon alpha-2
-
Interferon-alpha / administration & dosage
-
Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use*
-
Male
-
Middle Aged
-
Polyethylene Glycols / administration & dosage
-
Polyethylene Glycols / therapeutic use*
-
RNA, Viral / analysis
-
Recombinant Proteins
-
Ribavirin / administration & dosage
-
Ribavirin / therapeutic use*
-
Treatment Outcome
-
Viral Load
Substances
-
Antigens, Viral
-
Antiviral Agents
-
Interferon alpha-2
-
Interferon-alpha
-
RNA, Viral
-
Recombinant Proteins
-
Polyethylene Glycols
-
Ribavirin
-
peginterferon alfa-2a