Effect of IL-28 B Polymorphisms on Early Virological Response (EVR) in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients Treated with Interferon and Ribavirin

Abstract

Background: To determine the frequency of EVR
in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients treated with
Interferon and Ribavirin and to compare the effect of
IL-28B SNP rs12979860 (CC and non CC genotypes)
on frequency of EVR.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study 100 patients
with Chronic Hepatitis C (CHC) with genotype 3
who received Interferon and Ribavirin in the
standard doses were categorized in two groups
depending upon the IL-28B SNP rs12979860 CC and
non CC genotypes. Results of Qualitative PCR for
HCV RNA after 12 weeks of treatment and EVR
were entered. Frequency of EVR in the two groups
(CC and non CC) was compared.
Results: Among the 100 patients with Chronic
Hepatitis C treated with Interferon and Ribavirin, 72
patients achieved EVR (72%). Out of the 100
patients, 52 had CC genotype and 48 had non-CC
genotype (40 with CT and 8 with TT genotype). In
the CC group 47 out of 52 patients achieved EVR
(90%) while in the non-CC group 25 out of 48
patients achieved EVR (52%). The p value in our
study was 0.00
Conclusion: The frequency of EVR is 72% in
Chronic Hepatitis C patients infected with genotype
3 treated with Interferon and Ribavirin which is
comparable with Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin.
Patients with IL-28B SNP rs12979860 CC genotype
have a better chance to achieve EVR (90%) as
compared to the non-CC genotype (52%).