Abstract

Introduction: Hepatitis B is a major health problem with serious consequences. In hepatitis B treatment host cellular immune responses have a determinant role and T helper cells are the main active members of immune system against virological infection. The aims of this study are to investigate response rate of patients to INF-α therapy and evaluation of sCD26 and sCD30 roles as presenters of T cells activities in predicting the outcome of therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients. Methods and materials: Fifty three chronic hepatitis B patients received IFN-α 9 MU S.C three times weekly for 24 weeks, and were followed up for 24 weeks. Serum levels of sCD26 and sCD30, before, 1 and 3 months after treatment commencement were evaluated in 53 chronic hepatitis B patients and 30 healthy individuals as control group. Results: Normal level of ALT was seen in 64.1 (34/53) of patients and undetectable DNA was observed in 39.6 (21 out of 53) of them. Finally, 33.9 (18/53) of patients obtained sustain virological response. CD26 levels changes was correlated with response to treatment and significantly (p< 0.001) increased during first 3 months of treatment among patients with successful response to therapy. Conclusion: Interferon is an effective and safe treatment for chronic hepatitis B patients and sCD26 serum level changes might be useful in predicting the outcome of therapy in naïve chronic hepatitis B patients undergoing treatment with IFN-α, as it can help clinicians for withdrawing non-responder patients for prevention of adverse events and economical burden. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.