IP-10 Protein Levels Predict Hepatitis C Treatment Outcome

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IP-10 Protein Levels Predict Hepatitis C Treatment Outcome

Investigators have discovered that blood levels of a specific protein appear to foretell of Hepatitis C treatment success or failure.

Investigators Identify Prognostic Marker for Treating Hep C with Peg-Interferon and Ribavirin

Jan 6, 2011

Plasma levels of the protein IP-10 predict , prior to therapy initiation, the efficacy of treating chronic hepatitis C infection with pegylated-interferon and ribavirin, according to scientists at Inserm and Institut Pasteur. They say that they have developed a prognostic test for hepatitis C based on these results and anticipate commercialization this year.

The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, was conducted in the research lab of Albert, Ph.D. Dr. Albert's team found IP-10 elevated in those patients for whom treatment was ineffective. This observation was paradoxical as IP-10 is considered a pro-inflammatory molecule, which should have facilitated migration of activated T cells to the liver, the exact cell types responsible for viral immunity.

Continue reading this entire article:http://www.genengnews.com/gen-news-highlights/investigators-identify-prognostic-marker-for-treating-hep-c-with-peg-interferon-and-ribavirin/81244482/

http://www.hepatitis-central.com/mt/archives/2011/01/ip-10_protein_l.html