The Reduced Predictive Value of Interleukin 28b Gene Polymorphisms in a Cohort of Patients With Thyroiditis Developed During Antiviral Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C: A Preliminary Study

authors:

avatar Huy A Tran 1 , * , avatar Tracey L Jones 2 , avatar Elizabeth A Ianna 2 , avatar Robert A Gibson 2 , avatar Glenn E M Reeves 1

Hunter Area Pathology Service, John Hunter Hospital, huy.tran@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au, New South Wales 2310, Australia
Hepatitis C Service, Gastroenterology Department, John Hunter Hospital, Australia

how to cite: Tran H, Jones T, Ianna E, Gibson R, Reeves G. The Reduced Predictive Value of Interleukin 28b Gene Polymorphisms in a Cohort of Patients With Thyroiditis Developed During Antiviral Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C: A Preliminary Study. Hepat Mon. 2012;12(8):6036. https://doi.org/10.5812/hepatmon.6036.

Abstract

Background:

Single nucleotide polymorphism in the interleukin28B (IL28B) gene was recently shown to be associated with a significant increase in response to interferon-? and ribavirin treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Similarly, thyroid disease (TD) occurring during treatment confer an improved sustained virologic response (SVR).

Objectives:

To determine the role of IL28B genotypes in a cohort of hepatitis C patients who develop TD during treatment and its relationship to SVR.

Patients and Methods:

IL28B gene profiles including rs12979860, rs12980275 and rs 8099917 and their genotypes were determined in a cohort of 23 hepatitis C patients who developed TD during treatment and their relationship to SVR.

Results:

Out of 23 studies cases, 19 has one or more favorable genotypes, of which 15 (78.9%) achieved SVR. Eleven has all three unfavorable genotypes and yet achieved 72.7 % SVR. The presence of more than one favorable genotype only correctly predicts SVR vs. non- SVR in ~50 % of cases, i.e. by chance.

Conclusions:

Despite the small number of subjects, the presence of one or more unfavorable IL28B genotype does not portend a poor SVR prognostic outcome. This suggests that TD in this clinical context may be a critical factor in the achievement of SVR, probably above that of the genetic predisposition.

Full Text

Full text is available in PDF