Prediction of sofosbuvir response using interleukin-6 serum level and single nucleotide polymorphism of interferon lambda- 4.

INTRODUCTION: In Egypt, 15% of the populations are suffering from chronic hepatitis C especially genotype 4. Sofosbuvir was approved by FDA in December 2013 for treatment of HCV genotypes 2 and 3 in combination with Ribavirin, and for genotypes 1 and 4 in combination with Peg-IFN. Recently, polymorphism of different genes and plasma levels of IL-6 were utilized for better prediction of HCV clearance. This study aimed at early prediction of the efficacy of HCV treatment with Sofosbuvir (Sovaldi) and comparing the antiviral efficacy of dual and triple Sovaldi combination therapy.

METHODOLOGY: Blood samples were collected from 100 HCV positive patients and detected by real time PCR at three time intervals. SNP genotyping of INFL-4 gene was estimated by using real-time PCR with predesigned primers and Taqman probes. IL-6 serum level was estimated before, during and after the end of the treatment using ELISA assay based on human IL-6 KIT.

RESULTS: SNP genotyping of INFL-4 gene showed that 13.1% of patients carried ∆G/∆G, 30.4% patients had TT/TT and 56.5% patients possessed heterozygote allele ∆G/TT. Clinical data displayed that 13 patients were got relapsed at SVR 12. Serum level of IL-6 was noticed higher in HCV patients than healthy ones. Noteworthy, it was increased during treatment then decreased to a minimal level than begining of treatment.

CONCLUSION: SNP in INFL-4 gene has displayed no effect in response to Sofosbuvir. Dual therapy had the same effect like triple therapy, so interferon could be withdrawn from the treatment regimen.