title: Interferon Lambda 4 Polymorphism Predicts Sustained Viral Response in Hepatitis C Virus Patients Irrespective of Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes, Ethnicity or Treatment Regimen: Results From a Meta-Analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is growing evidence that interferon lambda 4 (IFNL4) polymorphism is related to sustained virological response (SVR) in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We analyzed the relationship between IFNL4 (rs368234815) polymorphism and SVR in dual- and triple- therapy in HCV genotype 1, 2, 3 and 4 infected Asian, Caucasian and African patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a systematic search of PubMed, Medline, Embase, EBSCO and Web of Science databases up to July 2015. Data of qualified studies were analyzed using the meta-analysis method in Stata 12.0 software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten studies involving 4765 patients were included in the analysis. Of overall studies, SVR was more frequent in TT/TT genotype compared to TT /ΔG+ΔG /ΔG (OR = 4.439, 95% CI: 3.410 - 5.778). Genotype stratification analyses revealed rs368234815 TT/ TT was associated with higher SVR in G1, G2/3 and G4 HCV patients (ORG1 = 4.661, 95% CI: 3.937 - 5.518; ORG2/3 = 1.896, 95% CI: 1.265 - 2.841; ORG4 = 6.074; 95% CI: 3.129 - 11.788). Ethnicity stratification analyses of G1 patients showed that SVR was more frequent with TT/ TT genotype in Asians (OR= 8.245, 95% CI: 5.475 - 12.416), Caucasians (OR = 4.166, 95% CI: 3.441 - 5.042) and Africans (SVR: 37.5% vs 17.0%, P = 0.017). Moreover, similar results presented in therapy stratification analyses both in patients with dual-therapy (OR = 3.857; 95% CI: 3.288 - 4.524) or triple-therapy (OR = 8.119; 95% CI: 4.942 - 13.340).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Favorable IFNL4 rs368234815 genotype is a strong predictor of SVR in HCV patients, irrespective of HCV genotypes, ethnicity or treatment regimen. Thus, detection for IFNL4 rs368234815 polymorphism may be beneficial to guide the clinician in the individualization of therapy and design.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Qin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Cong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: En Qiang
authors.initials: EQ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Zhen Zhen
authors.initials: ZZ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Xue Zhong
authors.initials: XZ
authors.lastname: Lei
keywords: Genetic; Hepatitis C; IFNL4; Meta-Analysis; Polymorphism; Rs368234815