title: IL28B favorable genotype and ultrarapid viral response as the earliest treatment predictors of a sustained viral response in a Georgian cohort infected with the hepatitis C genotype 1.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The early identification of factors contributing to the successful treatment of hepatitis C infection is important for researchers and clinicians. Studies carried out on the role of an ultrarapid viral response (URVR) for the prediction of a sustained viral response (SVR) have shown its high positive predictive value (PPV). However, data on the combined effect of URVR with IL28B genotypes for the prediction of SVR are lacking. Our aim was to study the role of URVR and IL28B genotypes in the prediction of SVR among patients in Georgia infected with genotype 1.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of a total of 156 patients enrolled in the study, 143 were included in the final analyses. Viral load testing for monitoring the viral response was carried out at 3, 24, 48, and 72 h and at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after the initiation of treatment. IL28B single nucleotide polymorphisms in rs12979860 were genotyped using real-time PCR methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our study showed that URVR was the earliest treatment predictor among genotype 1 patients harboring the IL28B C/C genotype (PPV-100%). Moreover, the C/C genotype was found to have a high PPV among genotype 1 patients without URVR or a rapid viral response, unlike patients infected with genotype 2 or 3. URVR and IL28B C/C genotypes were not as predictive of an SVR among genotype 2 and 3 patients; however, rapid viral responses were highly predictive of an SVR in these patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that testing for IL28B genotypes and viral load at weeks 1 and 2 may improve the ability to predict an SVR among hepatitis C virus genotype 1 patients; this information may be useful to ensure patient compliance with treatment.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center, Tbilisi, Georgia. kmarika79@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Marine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karchava
authors.forename: Lali
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sharvadze
authors.forename: Nikoloz
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chkhartishvili
authors.forename: Kenrad
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Nino
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gochitashivli
authors.forename: Lana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gatserelia
authors.forename: Natia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dvali
authors.forename: Ekaterine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dolmazashvili
authors.forename: Lela
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dzigua
authors.forename: Nino
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Badridze
authors.forename: Maia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhamutashvili
authors.forename: Tengiz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsertsvadze
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007372:Interferons; D007378:Interleukins / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load; D000095022:Interferon Lambda
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007372:Interferons; D007378:Interleukins; D012254:Ribavirin; C000624353:interferon-lambda, human; D000095022:Interferon Lambda