Effectiveness of interferon-alpha therapy in chronic hepatitis C is associated with the amount of interferon-alpha receptor mRNA in the liver.

Background/aims: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between interferon-alpha receptor mRNA in the liver and the response to interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C.

Methods: Interferon-alpha receptor mRNA was quantified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction using liver biopsies from 40 patients, comprising 20 responders and 20 non-responders to subsequent interferon therapy.

Results: The amount of interferon-alpha receptor mRNA was significantly larger in interferon-responders (0.72+/-0.12) than non-responders (0.26+/-0.08) (p<0.01). Regardless of the response to interferon, histological activity index scores and the amount of HCV-RNA showed significant inverse correlation to the amount of interferon-alpha receptor mRNA, whereas the HCV-RNA genotype was not associated with the amount of interferon-alpha receptor mRNA. Logistic analysis and multiple regression analysis showed that the amount of interferon-alpha receptor mRNA was significantly associated with the efficacy of interferon (p=0.0275), but not with fibrosis of the liver (p= 0.2726).

Conclusions: Our results suggest that the amount of interferon-alpha receptor mRNA is an important factor determining the response to interferon, and may be a new predictor of interferon response in chronic hepatitis C.