title: IL28B polymorphism is associated with treatment response in patients with genotype 4 chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Polymorphisms in the region of the interleukin (IL)28B gene have been associated with pegylated-interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin treatment response mainly in genotype 1 HCV infections. However, there are few data on HCV genotype 4 (HCV-4) infection. We evaluated, in a unique well-characterized cohort of HCV-4 patients, the association of IL28B polymorphism with response to treatment or liver disease severity.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 164 HCV-4 patients from different ethnic groups (Egyptian, European, and Sub-Saharan African). Among these patients, 82 were studied for response and 160 for disease severity. Free DNA extracted from all the 164 patient's serum samples was analyzed by direct sequencing of the SNP rs12979860 of IL28B. Genetic and bio-clinical features from patients having sustained virological response (43 SVR patients) and from those who did not respond to treatment or had a relapse after the end of the treatment (39 NR patients) were compared. IL28B polymorphism was compared between the 78 patients with mild fibrosis (Metavir score F0-F1) and the 82 with advanced fibrosis (F2-F4).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our data showed a better treatment response rate of the C allele of the IL28B gene SNP rs12979860 (p=0.0008). The response rates were 81.8%, 46.5%, and 29.4% for genotype CC, CT, and TT, respectively. No significant relationship was found between rs12979860 and the severity of the disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The SNP rs12979860 is strongly associated with SVR in patients infected with HCV-4, but not with liver disease severity. Analysis of IL28B genotype might be used to guide treatment for these patients.
authors.affiliation: Hepatology Department, AP-HP, University Paris Diderot 7 and INSERM U773, CRB3, Beaujon Hospital, Clichy, France. tarik.asselah@bjn.aphp.fr
authors.forename: Tarik
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Asselah
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Muynck
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Broët
authors.forename: Julien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Masliah-Planchon
authors.forename: Maud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blanluet
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bièche
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lapalus
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martinot-Peignoux
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lada
authors.forename: Emilie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Estrabaud
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El Ray
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vidaud
authors.forename: Marie-Pierre
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Ripault
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Boyer
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bedossa
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Valla
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vidaud
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marcellin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D024882:Drug Resistance, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007372:Interferons; D007378:Interleukins / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D057285:Precision Medicine / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019562:Viral Load / Q000187:drug effects; D055815:Young Adult; D000095022:Interferon Lambda
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007372:Interferons; D007378:Interleukins; D012254:Ribavirin; C000624353:interferon-lambda, human; D000095022:Interferon Lambda