The Correlation of Il28B Genotype With Sustained Virologic Response In Romanian patients With Chronic Hepatitis C

Background: Multiple variables influencing the sustained virologic response (SVR) in chronic hepatitis C have been evaluated. One of them is genetic polymorphism near the IL28B gene.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of IL28B genotypes on SVR rates in a group of patients with chronic hepatitis C from the western part of Romania.
Patients and Methods: A retrospective study was performed in 107 consecutive patients, previously treated with standard-of-care medication for chronic hepatitis C, identified from the databases of 2 centers. Patient demographics, viral load before treatment and at 12, 24, and 72 weeks from the treatment start, and IL28B genotype were evaluated.
Results: Among the 107 patents in the study group, 54 patients had SVR (50.5%), and 62 (57.9%) showed a complete early virologic response (cEVR). The SVR rates according to IL28B genotype were as follows: 73.1% in patients with genotype C/C, 40.9% in those with genotype C/T, and 57.1% in those with genotype T/T (i.e., 73.1% among patients with the C/C genotype vs. 43.7% among those with non-C/C genotypes; P = 0.0126). The cEVR rates were 80.8% in patients with the C/C genotype vs. 51.2% in those with non-C/C genotypes (P = 0.011).
Conclusions: In our cohort of 107 Caucasian HCV patients, the SVR rate was 50.5% with standard-of-care treatment. The SVR rate was directly related to the IL28B genotype: 73.1% in the C/C genotype vs. 43.7% in non-C/C genotypes (P = 0.0126).

Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:
Chronic C hepatitis is a global healthcare problem, affecting approximately 3% of world population, with sustained virologic response rates after treatment ranging from 34 to 61%. The genetic polymorphism near the IL28B gene, encoding interferon-lambda-3, is associated with different response rates to treatment. Reading this article is recommended to all interested in this subject.

Please cite this paper as:
Sporea I, popescu A, Curescu M, Sirli R, Dan I, Goldis A, et al. The Correlation of Il28B Genotype With Sustained Virologic Response In Romanian patients With Chronic Hepatitis C. Hepat Mon. 2011;11(12):975-9. DoI:10.5812/kowsar.1735143X.793