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Current Pharmaceutical Design

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1381-6128
ISSN (Online): 1873-4286

Modifications of the Immune Responsiveness in Patients with Hepatitis C Virus Infection following Treatment with IFN-α / Ribavirin

Author(s): L. Amati, L. Caradonna, T. Magrone, M. L. Mastronardi, R. Cuppone, R. Cozzolongo, O. G. Manghisi, D. Caccavo, A. Amoroso and E. Jirillo

Volume 8, Issue 11, 2002

Page: [981 - 993] Pages: 13

DOI: 10.2174/1381612024607036

Price: $65

Abstract

The balance between T helper (h)1 and Th2 responsiveness seems to represent a key event in the evolution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In particular, Th1 cytokines [interleukin (IL-2) and interferon (IFN-γ)] have been demonstrated to mediate the antiviral immune response. Serum levels of Th1 cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-γ) as well as of Th2 products (IL-4 and IL-10) were determined in a group of HCV-positive patients before and after treatment with IFN-α and Ribavirin (RIB). Results indicate that responder patients exhibited increased levels of IFN-γ and IL-10, while this enhancement was not observed in non-responder patients. In this respect, the major effect exerted by the combined therapy with IFN-α / RIB could be represented by the attainment of a re-equilibrium between inflammatory (Th1) and antiinflammatory (Th2) mechanisms. In this framework, according to current literature, novel therapeutical approaches to treat HCV infection are represented by administration of recombinant IL-2 and IL-10.

Keywords: ifn, ribavirin, responsiveness, gamma, interleukin, recombinant interleukin


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