Can gender predict virological response to standard antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C? A retrospective study

Aim:The liver is a sexually dimorphic organ presenting gender differences in its metabolism, functions, enzyme activity, membrane lipid composition and immune response.This paper aimed to assess whether gender may predict virological response to standard antiviral therapy in subjects with chronic hepatitis C (CHC).Methods: The authors retrospectively analyzed 100 patients with genotype 1 CHC (55 men, 45 women), who performed standard antiviral therapy (interferon and ribavirin for 12 months) in the period 2002-2012, evaluated with blood tests and abdominal ultrasound to compare different virological and biochemical response in both gender.Results: Rate of substained virological response (SVR) was higher, but not significant, in women than men (46.7% vs. 34.5%,P = 0.05); difference became significant after stratification by age (< 50 and ≥ 50 years).Specifically in the group aged under 50 years, rate of SVR was significantly higher in women than in men (66.7% vs. 38.2%,P < 0.05).Conclusion: Female gender may predict virological response to standard antiviral therapy in subjects with CHC aged below 50 years.Considering new potent and more expensive antiviral drugs actually available for HCV treatment, it could be useful to identify candidates firstly eligible to therapy.