METHODS OF USING sIP-10, CD26 INHIBITORS AND CXCR3 LEVELS IN A SAMPLE TO ASSESS CLEARANCE OF INFECTION, RESPONSE TO INTERFERON THERAPY, AND TREATING CHRONIC INFECTIONS

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for the treatment of infection, a disease, or a condition using CD26 (DPIV) inhibitors. The present invention also relates to an antibody that binds to the IP-10 protein and a method of monitoring the necessity for administering a CD26 inhibitor to a patient, comprising evaluating a level of sIP-10, a activity of CD26, and/or a level of CXCR3 cells in a sample.

1 . A method of treating infection, a disease, or a condition, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof, an effective amount of a CD26 inhibitor, thereby restoring the chemokine gradient and treating the infection. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the patient is infected with hepatitis C virus. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the CD26 inhibitor is at least one selected from the group consisting of amino boronic dipeptide talabostat (PT-100), Ile-Pro-Ile (Diprotin A), alanyl pyrrolidine, isoleucyl thiazolidine, N-valyl prolyl, O-benzoyl hydroxylamine and sitagliptin phosphate (JANUVIATM) 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the patient is chronically infected with hepatitis C virus. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , which further comprises administering interferon. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , where the interferon is interferon α 2A . 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , where the interferon is interferon α 2B . 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , where interferon α 2A  is administered in combination with ribavirin. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , where interferon α 2B  is administered in combination with a viral protease inhibitor.