title: Redefining baseline demographics: the role of genetic testing in hepatitis C virus infection.
abstract: The current standard of care for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Unfortunately, treatment cures at best only 40% to 50% of patients infected with genotype 1 HCV, the most common HCV genotype in Western countries. Treatment is also expensive and is often poorly tolerated. Therefore, the identification of patients most likely to benefit from treatment is clinically important. Genome-wide association studies have recently identified genetic variants, most notably IL28B and ITPA, which will enhance the ability of clinicians to personalize antiviral therapy for HCV infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, St Vincent's Hospital, 41 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy 3065, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Jacinta A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.forename: Paul V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Desmond
authors.forename: Alexander J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D005820:Genetic Testing; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons; D007378:Interleukins / Q000235:genetics*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011755:Pyrophosphatases / Q000235:genetics; D000097630:Inosine Triphosphatase; D000095022:Interferon Lambda
chemical_list: D007372:Interferons; D007378:Interleukins; D011755:Pyrophosphatases; D000097630:Inosine Triphosphatase; C000624353:interferon-lambda, human; D000095022:Interferon Lambda