Clinical immunology
The effect of Roferon A and TFX on the selected subpopulations of the peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is a vital medical problem. The inflammatory process in the liver may lead to life threatening consequences, such as cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Pathogenesis of CHC has not been fully recognized which influences the efficacy of currently used methods of treatment.
Aim of the studies: Evaluation of the changes in percentage values and absolute number of selected subpopulations of the peripheral blood lymphocytes in the course of the therapy in relation to the obtained results.
Material and Methods: The study was carried out on adult patients (16 females and 20 males), aged 21-63 years treated with combination of IFN-α and TFX for 24 weeks. Evaluation of absolute numbers and percentage of subpopulations of peripheral blood lymphocytes was done before and in 12th and 24th weeks of the therapy. Evaluation of lymphocyte subpopulations was performed on peripheral blood cells using standard techniques for whole blood immunofluorescence labeling. Twenty four months after the end of the therapy the patients were divided into two groups: group 1 patients with sustained viral response (SVR) (negative HCV-RNA in the serum 6 months after the end of the therapy), group 2 patients without SVR. Changes in each subpopulation of lymphocytes were compared before and during the treatment in relation to viral response. The results were analyzed statistically.
Results: Statistically significant higher percentage of lymphocytes with phenotype CD3+/DR in the investigated group as compared to the control group was found. The changes in the number of T lymphocyte subpopulation in favor of cells with cytotoxic potential were observed in group1. Percentage and absolute numbers of CD4+ lymphocytes decreased in both investigated groups (group 1 and group 2).
Conclusions:
1. Treatment of CHC with combination of IFN-α and Thymus peptides may be a valuable supplemention of therapy to currently used methods. 2. T Lymphocytes are effector cells of this therapy and during this therapy their redistribution in the organism may return to normal state.