In vitro blood cell responsiveness to IFN-α predicts clinical response independently of IL28B in hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infected patients.

Background: Treatment with interferon-alpha (IFN-α) and ribavirin successfully clears hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in 50% of patients infected with genotype 1. Addition of NS3-4A protease inhibitors (PIs) increases response rates but results in additional side effects and significant economic costs. Here, we hypothesised that in vitro responsiveness of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to IFN-α stimulation would identify patients who achieved sustained virological response (SVR) on dual therapy alone and thus not require addition of PIs.

Proton pump inhibitor therapy use does not predispose to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

Objectives: Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) occurs due to alteration of the microbiota within the upper gastrointestinal tract. Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy has been suggested as a risk factor for SIBO; however, the published reports have yielded conflicting results on the association between PPI therapy and risk of developing SIBO. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of SIBO as measured by glucose hydrogen breath testing (GHBT) in patients on PPI therapy compared with those not on PPI therapy.

Topic update: effects of colorectal cancer treatments on female fertility and potential methods for fertility preservation.

Purpose: Preservation of fertility in young females with a diagnosis of colorectal cancer is gaining increasing importance as survival rates of cancer increase. This review examines the effects of pelvic surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy on fecundity. It also discusses the options available to patients including ovarian transposition, gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs, embryo and ovarian cryopreservation, and ovarian tissue transplantation.