Genetic variant of IL28B rs12979860, as predictive marker of interferon‐based therapy in Pakistani population

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes and genetic variants of interleukin 28B (IL28B) are significantly associated with interferon plus ribavirin treatment of HCV infection. We investigated the distribution of HCV genotypes and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IL28B (rs12979860 and rs8099917) in Pakistani population. IL28B genotyping was performed by allele-specific PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism PCR in 140 chronic hepatitis C patients (CHC) and 120 healthy controls. HCV genotype 3 (HCVG3) was the most prevalent genotype, 71.4% (n = 100/140) and with the highest treatment response of 90% (n = 90/100). The overall treatment response of all the HCV genotypes was 82% (n = 115/140). The distribution of IL28B rs12979860CC genotype in treatment responder and non-responder groups was 40.8% (n = 47/115) and 16% (n = 4/25) respectively. IL28B rs12979860CC genotype demonstrated a significant correlation (p = 0.019) with interferon-based therapy of HCV infection. However, there was no observed association of IL28B rs8099917 polymorphism with treatment response in CHC patients (p = 0.264). In conclusion, HCV genotypes and IL28B rs12979860 are predictive markers for the efficiency of interferon plus ribavirin combinational therapy of HCV infection. We recommend the inclusion of testing for these markers in the clinical criteria for decision making for HCV therapy in Pakistani population.

Interleukin‐ 28B: a prognostic marker in interferon based therapy of chronic HCV patients of the Pakistan with variable treatment response

“…Relating to our previously published study HCV genotypes and IL28B rs12979860 SNP found among the Pakistani HCV patients as predictive markers for the efficiency of (IFN + ribavirin) combinational therapy. The results of this study were found consistent with the study published recently, which reports that IL28B contributes to viral resistance and is known to be up regulated as a result of interferons and RNA virus infection .…”

“…The strongest association, among a predominantly caucasian population, was noted for the rs12979860 SNP where the CCrs12979860, had 2‐fold increased likelihood of achieving SVR as compared to the TT variant . However, in a recently published study from Pakistan, a significant association of HCV genotypes and genetic variants of IFNL (IL28B) have been shown with IFN α + Rib treatment of HCV infection .…”

“…According to the recent epidemiological data, 4.9% (9 million) of the Pakistani population is chronically infected with HCV . Pakistan is ranked as the country with second highest rate of HCV infection with subgenotype 3a as the most predominant in the world .…”

Genetic Variation in Interleukin-28B and Response to Peg-IFNα-2a/RBV Combination Therapy in Patients with Hepatitis C Virus Infection

“…It is noteworthy that PCR-RFLP assay has been utilized to determine this polymorphism in several studies such as those conducted by Sharafi et al (23), Irman et al (24), Fateh et al (16), and Nakamoto et al (25). These studies have reported that this assay is simple, fast, inexpensive, and valid.…”

Quantitative evaluation of insulin resistance markers in Pakistani patients suffering from HCV-associated type 2 diabetes mellitus

“…PCR-based confi rmation of HCV RNA was performed in ASAB diagnostic laboratories. Th e quantifi cation of HCV RNA was carried out by real time PCR according to the manufacturer's protocol using Applied Biosciences 7300 Real time PCR System (Imran et al, 2015). Th e samples were run in parallel along with the quantifi cation standards (synthetic internal controls).…”