Role of CTLA-4, PD-1 and PD-L1 immune biomarkers among HCV patients undergoing hemodialysis

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: One of the most prevalent diseases seen in Iraqi patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment for chronic renal disease is hepatitis C virus, also known as HCV infection (CKD). In this study, we intended to determine whether immune checkpoint biomarkers such as CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1 might be utilized to predict the outcome for hemodialysis patients who had HCV infection and CKD. Materials and Methods: The study comprised 90 Iraqi patients. The participants were separated into three groups: Group I (control group) consisted of those without viral infection. Group II consisted of 30 HCV-infected patients who did not receive antiviral medication, whereas Group III consisted of 30 HCV-infected patients who had had recent/previous antiviral drug treatment. ELISA was used to evaluate the serum predictive values of immunological biomarkers in all three groups of people. The collected results were statistically analyzed. Results: Serum levels of the measured biomarkers were seen elevated among all individuals in Group I and II showing a high statistically significant difference between patients’ group and healthy controls. The area under the curve (AUC) for CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1 was 93%, 99%, and 96%, respectively. Conclusion: The prognostic factor-value of immune biomarkers investigated in this study could be used as predictors in patients with CKD and infected with HCV.