Effect of treatment with interferon α‐2b and ribavirin in patients infected with genotype 2 hepatitis C virus

Abstract

The characterization of the amino acid sequences of ISDR may be helpful for predicting a relapse after combination therapy in patients with genotype 2 HCV infection.

Pegylated interferon monotherapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C with low viremia and its relationship to mutations in the NS5A region and the single nucleotide polymorphism of interleukin‐28B

“…The prevalences of the number of amino acid substitutions in ISDR according to HCV genotypes are summarized in Figure . The ISDR were examined by direct sequencing, and classification involved counting the number of amino acid substitutions compared to consensus strains of each genotype, as previously reported …”

“…Nested PCR analysis and direct sequencing of the NS5A‐ISDR were performed as previously reported for each genotype . In brief, RNA was extracted from 140 μL serum using a QIAamp Viral RNA Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA, USA) and dissolved in 50 μL diethylpyrocarbonate‐treated water.…”

“…RNA (10 ng) was used for reverse transcription with oligo and random hexamer primers with an iScript cDNA Synthesis Kit (Bio‐Rad, Hercules, CA, USA). NS5A‐ISDR was sequenced after amplification by nested PCR as previously described …”

“…IFN acts to control replication of the virus by inducing the dsRNA‐dependent protein kinase (PKR). The ISDR is located in the PKR‐binding domain, is inhibited by PKR in vitro , and is useful for prediction in patients with genotypes 2a, 2b and 3a . Therefore, ISDR heterogeneity is an important factor that may affect response to IFN in patients with low HCV RNA levels.…”

Cancer preventive effect of pegylated interferon α‐2b plus ribavirin in a real‐life clinical setting in Japan: PERFECT interim analysis

“…With the discovery of interferon (IFN), CHC became a curable disease, and with the addition of ribavirin (RBV), therapeutic outcomes have improved dramatically. Currently, about 50% 5–8 of patients with HCV genotype 1b and high virus load and more than 80% 9 of genotype 2 patients achieve sustained virologic response (SVR), and the SVR rate is reported to improve further with long‐term treatment 10,11 and with combination therapy plus a statin 12 …”