Fas and Fas-ligand as markers for response to Interferon plus Ribavirin therapy in Egyptian patients with Chronic Hepatitis C

Background/Aim: Egypt has the highest prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the world. The role of apoptosis in treatment-induced HCV clearance is controversial. Recent studies have indicated that serum apoptosis-related cytokines (Fas and Fas ligand) may be one of the factors that used for evaluating the response to combination therapy in chronic HCV patients. Methods: Serum levels of soluble Fas (sFas) and soluble Fas ligand (sFasL) were measured by ELISA in 50 naive patients with chronic HCV treated with combination therapy at baseline and at the end of treatment. Results: Baseline sFasL level was significantly higher in responders as compared to non responders (p=0.000). After treatment, both sFas and sFasL levels were increased in responders. High baseline sFasL was the only predictor for response with a cutoff level 156.5 pg/ml gives an excellent prediction for both end of treatment response and sustained virological response with an area under the curve (AUC) of 86.0% and 85.4% respectively. Conclusion: Virological response during HCV therapy was associated with an increase of sFas and sFasL. sFasL seems to predict which patients will achieve response to treatment.