Assay Detects Interferon Antibodies, Drug Bioactivity in Hepatitis C Patients

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Assay Detects Interferon Antibodies, Drug Bioactivity in Hepatitis C

Patients

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jan 06 - German researchers have developed a new

screening system to identify interferon-neutralizing antibodies in patients

with hepatitis C who are not responding to interferon alpha therapy.

The assay includes a real-time RT-PCR test that identifies MxA expression in

peripheral blood mononuclear cells. MxA is a GTPase induced by interferon

that is a " highly specific and reliable " marker for the drug's bioactivity,

Dr. Georg Kochs of the Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene in

Freiburg and colleagues write in the January issue of the Journal of Medical

Virology.

Dr. Kochs and his team used the assay to identify interferon

alpha-neutralizing antibodies in sera from 3 of 38 patients not responding

to interferon, but did not find the antibodies in 24 patients with hepatitis

C who responded to interferon therapy or in 21 healthy controls.

The researchers also found a correlation between presence of the antibodies

and a lack of MxA induction after interferon treatment, indicating a

" complete lack of IFN bioactivity. "

The role of anti-interferon antibodies in interferon resistance to hepatitis

C " is still a matter of debate, " the researchers note. " This new and

convenient bioassay constitutes a helpful tool for answering this important

question. "

The test, based on a reporter plasmid containing the luciferase gene

controlled by the Mx1 promoter, does not require special bioassay

conditions, and is both convenient and sensitive, the researchers note. They

suggest that it could be used to identify patients who are not responding to

interferon early in therapy and monitor them for the development of

interferon-neutralizing antibodies.

" The data obtained should be used to optimize further treatment and possibly

to identify alternative interferon preparations not neutralized by the

patient's serum, " the researchers conclude.

J Med Virol 2005;78:74-82.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/521048?src=mp

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[Guest guest]

Assay Detects Interferon Antibodies, Drug Bioactivity in Hepatitis C

Patients

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jan 06 - German researchers have developed a new

screening system to identify interferon-neutralizing antibodies in patients

with hepatitis C who are not responding to interferon alpha therapy.

The assay includes a real-time RT-PCR test that identifies MxA expression in

peripheral blood mononuclear cells. MxA is a GTPase induced by interferon

that is a " highly specific and reliable " marker for the drug's bioactivity,

Dr. Georg Kochs of the Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene in

Freiburg and colleagues write in the January issue of the Journal of Medical

Virology.

Dr. Kochs and his team used the assay to identify interferon

alpha-neutralizing antibodies in sera from 3 of 38 patients not responding

to interferon, but did not find the antibodies in 24 patients with hepatitis

C who responded to interferon therapy or in 21 healthy controls.

The researchers also found a correlation between presence of the antibodies

and a lack of MxA induction after interferon treatment, indicating a

" complete lack of IFN bioactivity. "

The role of anti-interferon antibodies in interferon resistance to hepatitis

C " is still a matter of debate, " the researchers note. " This new and

convenient bioassay constitutes a helpful tool for answering this important

question. "

The test, based on a reporter plasmid containing the luciferase gene

controlled by the Mx1 promoter, does not require special bioassay

conditions, and is both convenient and sensitive, the researchers note. They

suggest that it could be used to identify patients who are not responding to

interferon early in therapy and monitor them for the development of

interferon-neutralizing antibodies.

" The data obtained should be used to optimize further treatment and possibly

to identify alternative interferon preparations not neutralized by the

patient's serum, " the researchers conclude.

J Med Virol 2005;78:74-82.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/521048?src=mp

_________________________________________________________________

Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE!

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