SERUM N-TERMINAL PEPTIDE OF TYPE-III PROC OLLAGEN SIGNIFICANCE IN CHRONIC HEPATITIS-C VIRUS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the ser um N-terminal peptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP), Knodell's scor e and the response to treatment in 79 patients with viral C chronic he patitis. Liver biopsy and serum PIIINP was assessed in all patients. S erum PIIINP was correlated with Knodell' score (r = 0,60; P = 10(-4)). Correlation between serum alanine amino-transferase and Knodell' scor e was smaller than for PIIINP (r = 0,38; P = 0,02). Forty-nine patient s were treated with interferon a. A second biopsy and serum PIIINP det ermination were performed one year after treatment discontinuation. Me ans of serum PIIINP and Knodell' score significantly decreased after t reatment (P < O,01; P < 0,03). Among non-responder patients, serum PII INP was initially more elevated: 37.5 +/- 12.6 ng/mL versus 22.6 +/- 3 .8 (P < 10(-3)). Knodell's score decreased only among responder patien ts (P < 0.01 vs P < 0.7). Positive and negative predictive value for t he response to treatment, evaluated by aminotransferases normalization , of serum PIIINP level less than or equal to 24 ng/mL were 0.6 and 0. 9 respectively. These findings suggest that serum PIIINP is a relevant marker of activity in patients with viral C chronic hepatitis and tha t it might have a predictive value of response to treatment.