Significance of serum WFA+-M2BP level as a marker of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the role of dynamics of WFA+-M2BP, a serum marker of liver fibrosis, in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Patients and methods. We examined 56 CHC patients who received antiviral therapy. The severity of liver fibrosis was assessed using indirect elastometry. There were 8 patients with F0 fibrosis, 17 patients with F1 fibrosis, 6 patients with F2 fibrosis, 12 patients with F3 fibrosis, and 13 patients with F4 fibrosis. The level of WFA+-M2BP was measured prior to treatment initiation, then 1 month after treatment initiation, and 3 months after treatment completion. Results. We found that both CHC patients and patients with HCV-induced liver cirrhosis demonstrated a decrease in the serum level of WFA+-M2BP in response to antiviral therapy. Mean levels of WFA+-M2BP in individuals with F3 and F4 fibrosis were significantly higher than those in patients with F0 fibrosis (p < 0.01). Conclusion. Higher grades of liver cirrhosis were associated with higher serum levels of WFA+-M2BP, while antiviral therapy led to a decrease in the concentration of this biomarker. The assessment of WFA+-M2BP dynamics will help to detect early stages of liver fibrosis and also to monitor it in patients receiving antiviral therapy. Key words: chronic hepatitis C, liver cirrhosis caused by HCV, biomarker, WFA+-M2BP, liver fibrosis, antiviral therapy