519-M. Effect of Interleukine-2 (IL-2) on Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in HIV-1/HCV Co-Infected Patients

Abstract

E-mail Abstract Author

Add To Itinerary

Session

Search Abstracts

Program

Session 71 Poster Session
IL-2 and Other Forms of Immunotherapy
Session Time: 4:30-6:30 pm
Room 4E-F

519-M.

Effect of Interleukine-2 (IL-2) on Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in HIV-1/HCV Co-Infected Patients
J. C. Lopez*, J. Cosin, P. Catalan, J. Berenguer, P. Miralles, B. Padilla, and M. Rivera
Hosp. Gregorio Marañon, Madrid, Spain

Background: Treatment with IL-2 in HIV-1 infected patients leads to an increase in the CD4 cell counts. In our media, co-infection with HCV is very common in HIV-1 infected patients. However there are not data regarding the effects of IL-2 on HCV, as well as a possible increasing of hepatic toxicity in this situation.
Methods: The purpose of this study was to test the safety and the effects of IL-2 on the course of HCV infection in HIV-1/HCV co-infected patients. 17 HIV-1/HCV coinfected patients were treated with IL-2. All had a detectable HCV-RNA (Cobas Amplicor HCV Monitor 2.1, Roche Diagnostic System) performed at baseline. After starting IL-2 they were followed every 8 weeks during the first 3 cycles of the IL-2 with a clinical and analytical evaluation that included measures of ALT, AST, and total bilirubin. In 11 patients HCV-RNA were performed 8 weeks after every IL-2 cycle.
Results: 15 patients were male, the median age was 38, and 12 had been previously diagnosed of an opportunistic infection. The median nadir of the CD4 counts were 53 cells/mm³, they were on HAART for a median of 22 months, and the median CD4 baseline was 174 cells/mm³. All patients had an undetectable HIV-1 viral load at the moment of inclusion. Twelve were considered as responders to IL-2 with an elevation in the CD4 cell counts > 50% from the baseline after the third cycle. The baseline of ALT and AST was > 2 the upper level of normality in 60%, and the median HCV-RNA was > 800.000 IU/mL. There were no significant changes in the ALT, AST, and total bilirubin during the three cycles of IL-2. There was not a significant decline in HCV-RNA during follow-up. No patient presented hepatotoxicity due to IL-2 treatment.
Conclusions: IL-2 does not affect HCV infection in HIV-1/HCV co-infected patients. However the lack of hepatotoxicity make IL-2 as a safe treatment in this population.