Methods for predicting the efficacy or outcome of hcv therapy
OwnerGeert Leroux-Roels, Isabelle Desombereinventors
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a novel method for predicting likeliness of the outcome or efficacy of an antiviral therapy against Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). This method is based on the detection of antibodies against the proteins NSta and or NS5a in a sample of a patient. This method can be further combined with the detection of viral titers of HCV in a sample of a patient. The method of the invention allows a more reliable identification of a subset of non-responders in an early stage of treatment.
Claims23
1-33. (canceled)
A kit comprising one or more HCV antigenic peptides, each of said one or more HCV antigenic peptides being selected from:
- HCV antigenic peptides comprising in their sequence at least 8 amino acids of the NS4a protein of HCV and/or
- HCV antigenic peptides comprising in their sequence at least 8 amino acids of the NS5a protein sequence of HCV.
An in vitro method for predicting likelihood of the efficacy or outcome of a therapy against Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection in a patient, said method comprising:
- determining the presence in a serum or plasma sample of said patient of antibodies directed against the HCV antigens NS4a and/or NS5a;
- whereby absence of said antibodies against said NS4a antigens and/or NS5a antigens is indicative of a lower likelihood of benefiting of said therapy.
An isolated peptide corresponding to an NS4a or NS5a antigen, selected from the group consisting of:
- peptides with a length between 8 and 30 amino acids containing a sequence of at least 8 amino acids of a polypeptide represented by the group of SEQ ID NO:
- 1, 2, 3, and 4;
- peptides represented by SEQ ID NO:
- 1, SEQ ID NO:
- 2, SEQ ID NO:
- 4, SEQ ID NO:
- 5. SEQ ID NO:
- 7, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, and SEQ ID NO:
- 11;
- peptides with a length between 8 and 30 amino acids comprising the sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:
- 4, SEQ ID NO:
- 6, SEQ ID NO:
- 10, or SEQ ID NO:
- 12;
- and
- peptides selected from the group consisting of the peptides represented by SEQ ID NO:
- 3, SEQ ID NO:
- 6, SEQ ID NO:
- 9, and SEQ ID NO:
- 12.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.