BrainMap

Aura Temereanca

- UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA"

Expertise & keywords

Multidisciplinary One Health excellence research platform for neglected and emerging vector-borne diseases Call name:
PCCDI-2017-0005 -

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRICOLE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA CLUJ-NAPOCA

Project partners:

Affiliation:

Project website:

Abstract:

Investigation of viral and host markers of non-response to anti-viral treatment in chronic hepatitis C Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-1150 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE CANTACUZINO

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE CANTACUZINO (RO); SPITALUL DE BOLI INFECTIOASE "DR.VICTOR BABES" (RO); INSTITUTUL CLINIC FUNDENI (RO); INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO); PERSONAL GENETICS S.R.L. (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO)

Project website: http://www.cantacuzino.ro/ro/?p=1713

Abstract:

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b is associated with higher rates of liver cirrhosis and poorer response to antiviral therapy. Sustained virological response to pegylated interferon/ ribavirin is achieved in only half of genotype 1-infected patients(prevalent in Romania). Starting with 2011, new treatments are available including specific protease inhibitors in addition to PEG-Interferon and ribavirin. Failure of IFN-based treatments to eradicate HCV infection has been shown to be related to virological (HCV genotype, variability, viral load, on-treatment viral kinetics), host genetic determinants (genetic variation near the IL28B gene) and non-genetic factors (age, sex, fibrosis, etc.). So far, no study characterizing HCV resistance pattern or genetic features among chronic HCV patients from Romania is available. The project aims to define the pre-treatment prediction of response to PEG-IFN/RBV therapy through the integrated analysis of viral factors as well as host factors. This study implies a prospective recruitment of patients with chronic hepatitis C in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration. All serological, biochemical, histo-pathological and genetic assays will be performed on samples routinely taken in regular clinical practice. The presence of the described mutations to the current or the tri-therapy in complete viral protein-coding regions and the variability impact on the resistance phenotype using both the traditional sequencing method and a next generation approach will be evaluated. Selected HCV genomic regions will serve to design primers and to develop specific PCR systems capable to detect resistance mutations. Human genetic markers (IL28B, HLA-B27, ITPA genes polymorphisms) and serum proteins (IP-10) will be tested for treatment prediction. A computer based algorithm including host and viral factors will be developed to support selection of the optimum treatment in the context of personalized medicine.

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List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects