Use of DPB1 T-cell epitope algorithm among italian transplant centers: A survey on behalf of Associazione Italiana di Immunogenetica e Biologia dei Trapianti.

The HLA-DPB1 locus has been demonstrated to have a significant role on patients' outcome after allogeneic HSCT, and the so-called T-cell epitope (TCE) algorithm has been incorporated in international guidelines for the selection of unrelated donors. The purpose of the present study is to measure, through a national survey conducted on behalf of the Associazione Italiana di Immunogenetica e Biologia dei Trapianti (AIBT), the extent of awareness and use of HLA-DPB1 TCE-based algorithms during the donor search. 89% of the HLA laboratories answered to a short questionnaire and the results showed a progressive increase of the laboratories typing DPB1 in patients and their potential donors during the search (from 44% to 79% during the 2010-2019 period) as well as the application of a TCE-based algorithm for the donor choice whenever possible (from 24% to 65% during the same period). The DP-permissiveness status is detailed in the official HLA typing report by 12%, 32% and 50% of laboratories in 2010, 2015 and 2019, respectively. The present data indicate an encouraging raise in the awareness of the HLA-DPB1 role in unrelated donor selection; noteworthy, mentioning the TCE-based permissiveness status in the HLA typing report of each potential unrelated donor represents a notable mean to raise awareness among transplant physicians and to support them in their task of choosing the best donor. Nonetheless, despite the compelling evidence of the predictive ability of TCE-based algorithms, further efforts are still needed to extend its application to all transplant centers in Italy.

Treatment optimization and prediction of HCV clearance in patients with acute HCV infection.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The lack of consensus on the optimal timing, regimen, and duration of treatment, in patients with acute HCV infection, stimulates the research on both favourable outcome predictors and individualized treatment regimens. This study aimed at investigating the impact of IL28B SNP rs12979860 alone or in combination with HLA class II alleles in both predicting spontaneous viral clearance and individualizing treatment strategies for patients with HCV persistence, after acute HCV exposure. METHODS: 178 patients with AHC, consecutively treated with interferon alone or in combination with ribavirin, starting within or after 48 weeks from the diagnosis of AHC, were tested for IL28B SNPs and HLA class II alleles. RESULTS: Spontaneous viral clearance was achieved in 28% of 169 patients available for genetic testing. Factors associated with HCV elimination were jaundice (OR 2.75, 95% CI 1.31-5.77) and IL28B CC (OR 3.87, CI 1.71-8.51), but not HLA alleles. In CT/TT patients without jaundice, NPV for virus persistence was 98%. In patients with IL28B CT/TT, starting treatment 48 weeks after the onset was significantly associated with lower rates of response (28% vs. 100%, p=0.027). By contrast, no significant differences in the rate of SVR were observed for CC carriers who started treatment later (65% vs. 85%, p=1.0). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with acute HCV hepatitis, lack of viral clearance may be predicted by absence of jaundice and IL28B CT/TT genotype; in patients with these characteristics, treatment needs to be started immediately.