Alessandra Mangia

..Anti-viral therapy seems more successful in HCV genotype 2 than genotype 3-infected patients...

..Existing results suggest that the genetic evaluation of IL28B may be useful in patients with HCV-2 for predicting response in patients without RVR...

..All patients were followed up for a mean period of 18 months (range 10-30)...

..We hypothesized that in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2 or 3 in whom HCV RNA is not detectable after 4 weeks of therapy, 12 weeks of treatment is as effective as 24 weeks...

..1%, P = 0.14). The only predictive factor of SVR in RVR patients was advanced fibrosis. Conclusion: Variable treatment duration ensures SVR rates similar to those of standard treatment duration, sparing unnecessary side effects and costs...

..However, some issues on this topic, are still open. In this review, existing evidence is discussed, and both the relevance and limitations of published studies are considered...

..These proceedings have the aim of identifying which molecular tests, among those currently available, meet clinical requirements for each specific application...

....

..The optimal dose of ribavirin to be used in combination with Peg-IFN in patients with HCV genotypes 2 and 3 undergoing short treatment has not been established...

..We evaluated the effects of IL-28B polymorphisms on response to treatment with peginterferon and ribavirin in a well-characterized cohort of genotype 2/3 patients...

..The benefit of individualizing treatment for patients with genotype 3 HCV infection on the basis of viral clearance at week 4 (wk4-R) has not been firmly established...

..However, achievement of on-treatment virological milestones was the critical factor in determining outcome. IL28B type appeared to have limited potential for response-guided treatment strategies...

..Whether a genotype individualized treatment may increase virologic response is the object of current investigations...

..In treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis C, triple therapy with PEG-IFN alpha-2a, RBV and AMA produces higher SVR than dual or triple therapy with conventional IFN alpha-2a...

..In patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection and persistently normal alanine aminotransferase levels, liver fibrosis has been reported in 0-22% of cases and advanced liver disease in 5-10% of cases...

..A substantial proportion of naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C have an end-of-treatment and end-of-follow-up virologic and biochemical response to a combination of IFN and AMA. This new treatment appears safe and well tolerated...

..In chronic hepatitis C the schedule of interferon (IFN), 3 MU thrice weekly (tiw) plus ribavirin (1000-1200 mg/daily) needs further evaluation, as IFN dosages >3 MU achieve better responses...

..0%) of them. Conclusion: We recommend 12 weeks course of therapy for patients with undetectable HCV RNA at treatment week 4, providing they present with no advanced fibrosis and low BMI...

....

....

..Finally, we will face the debated issue of whether the subset of patients with genotype 2 or 3 requires an extended treatment duration...

..CONCLUSIONS: In chronic hepatitis C, therapy with AMA and INF is effective and may be an alternative to INF and ribavirin in patients who cannot tolerate ribavirin...

..We have shown that 12-14 weeks treatment is effective in HCV-2 or -3 patients with undetectable HCV-RNA after 4 weeks of therapy (rapid virologic response)...

..These results warrant future investigations, as discontinuing ribavirin could lead to considerable savings in cost and quality of life related to over-treatment...

..Irrespective of SVR achievement, all patients should continue surveillance because the risk of occurrence of HCC was not entirely avoided...

..0001) and platelets (P = 0.004) maintained their predictive power. In most patients with HCV infection, virological clearance after therapy can be achieved irrespective of whatever a liver biopsy might show...

..This is the first report proposing a molecular mechanism through which the HCV core protein (genotype 3a) modulates SOCS-7 expression...

..98-3.35, P<0.06) by multivariate analysis. In conclusion, the assessment of neoangiogenesis of primary breast cancer by CD34 expression does not provide information predictive of different distant sites of metastasis...

..We confirmed that breast biology has significant menstrual and seasonal variations and that the seasonality is probably the timing factor more relevant in periodicity determination...

..The aim of the present study was to investigate whether patients with fast-proliferating, node-negative breast cancer could benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy with fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide (FEC)...

..This study was aimed to determine whether host-dependent genetic factors modulate the outcome of HCV infection...

..Prior studies suggest that platelet counts of <140 000/microL can discriminate patients with different stages of fibrosis...

..Responses to the critical issues have been developed by a consensus of experts, endorsed by the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver (AISF) and some clinical recommendations have been added...

..Our results suggest that RAD51 expression determination could contribute to a better molecular classification of mammary tumors and may represent a novel tool for evaluating postoperative adjuvant therapy for breast cancer patients...

..However, given the association between achalasia and HLA-DQ1, further research is needed to clarify the role of HLA antigens and antineuronal antibodies in this disease...

..CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with observations in chronic hepatitis C patients, the in vitro expression of HCV genotype 3a core protein is the ideal candidate model for studying the mechanisms of HCV-associated steatosis...

..Hepatic inflammation may mediate fibrogenesis in patients with liver steatosis. Control of metabolic factors (such as overweight, via lifestyle adjustments) appears important in the management of CHC...

..For patients with genotype 3, a univocal recommendation on treatment duration cannot be made. However, ongoing trials will probably clarify this aspect...

..CONCLUSION: Despite the small sequence divergence of the HCV core proteins of genotypes 3a and 1b, the 2 proteins appear to interfere with the insulin signaling pathway using genotype-specific mechanisms...

....

....