Aim: To evaluate the potential value of using a serological assay to quantitate the hepatitis C virus core antigen (HCV-Ag) when monitoring patients with chronic hepatitis C being treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Methods: Ninety-six patients treated with DAAs, either alone (91) or in combination with PEG interferon (5), were tested for HCV-RNA and for HCV-Ag at baseline and at weeks 2, 4, 8 and 12 during treatment and 12 weeks after completion. The concordance and correlation between the viral parameters as well as the respective kinetics during and after treatment were evaluated. Results: A sustained viral response (SVR) was achieved in 82 patients (91%), whereas 11 relapsed (R) and 1 showed a virological breakthrough while receiving treatment. HCV-RNA and HCV-Ag showed good concordance (kappa = 0.62) and correlation. No significant differences between SVR and R was observed in either assay at 2 and 4 weeks after the start of treatment. At 8 weeks, HCV-Ag showed higher accuracy than HCV-RNA (AUC: 0.74 vs. 0.55) and there was a significantly greater decrease from baseline in SVR than in R (4.01 vs. 3.36 log10; p<0.05). Conclusions: Monitoring during treatment with DAAs by using either HCV-RNA or HCV-Ag has only a limited predictive value for SVR. Since those assays are equivalent for identifying a virological relapse, HCV-Ag may be preferred from an economical and organizational perspective.

Loggi, E., Galli, S., Vitale, G., Donato, R.D., Vukotic, R., Grandini, E., et al. (2017). Monitoring the treatment of hepatitis C with directly acting antivirals by serological and molecular methods. PLOS ONE, 12(11), 1-13 [10.1371/journal.pone.0187755].

Monitoring the treatment of hepatitis C with directly acting antivirals by serological and molecular methods

Vitale, Giovanni;Donato, Roberto Di;Vukotic, Ranka;Grandini, Elena;Margotti, Marzia;GUARNERI, VALERIA;Furlini, Giuliano;Re, Maria Carla;Andreone, Pietro
2017

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the potential value of using a serological assay to quantitate the hepatitis C virus core antigen (HCV-Ag) when monitoring patients with chronic hepatitis C being treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Methods: Ninety-six patients treated with DAAs, either alone (91) or in combination with PEG interferon (5), were tested for HCV-RNA and for HCV-Ag at baseline and at weeks 2, 4, 8 and 12 during treatment and 12 weeks after completion. The concordance and correlation between the viral parameters as well as the respective kinetics during and after treatment were evaluated. Results: A sustained viral response (SVR) was achieved in 82 patients (91%), whereas 11 relapsed (R) and 1 showed a virological breakthrough while receiving treatment. HCV-RNA and HCV-Ag showed good concordance (kappa = 0.62) and correlation. No significant differences between SVR and R was observed in either assay at 2 and 4 weeks after the start of treatment. At 8 weeks, HCV-Ag showed higher accuracy than HCV-RNA (AUC: 0.74 vs. 0.55) and there was a significantly greater decrease from baseline in SVR than in R (4.01 vs. 3.36 log10; p<0.05). Conclusions: Monitoring during treatment with DAAs by using either HCV-RNA or HCV-Ag has only a limited predictive value for SVR. Since those assays are equivalent for identifying a virological relapse, HCV-Ag may be preferred from an economical and organizational perspective.
2017
Loggi, E., Galli, S., Vitale, G., Donato, R.D., Vukotic, R., Grandini, E., et al. (2017). Monitoring the treatment of hepatitis C with directly acting antivirals by serological and molecular methods. PLOS ONE, 12(11), 1-13 [10.1371/journal.pone.0187755].
Loggi, Elisabetta; Galli, Silvia; Vitale, Giovanni; Donato, Roberto Di; Vukotic, Ranka; Grandini, Elena; Margotti, Marzia; Guarneri, Valeria; Furlini,...espandi
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Loggi et al PLOS ONEjournal.pone.0187755.pdf

accesso aperto

Descrizione: Hepatitis C
Tipo: Versione (PDF) editoriale
Licenza: Licenza per Accesso Aperto. Altra tipologia di licenza compatibile con Open Access
Dimensione 1.79 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.79 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11585/621709
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 7
  • Scopus 16
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 16
social impact