Polymorphisms in the IL28B gene (rs12979860, rs8099917) and the virological response to pegylated interferon therapy in hepatitis D virus patients

Abstract

Aim : Few data are available regarding the effects of interleukin 28B (IL28B) polymorphisms in chronic hepatitis D (CHD) patients. This study investigated the relationship between IL28B polymorphisms and the response of patients with CHD infections to pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) therapy. Materials and methods : A total of 101 CHD patients were selected, 80 of whom (46 males; median age 41 years) satisfied the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. Thirty-seven patients were treated with peg-IFNa for at least 12 months and were followed for a median of 18 months (range, 12-30 months). The primary treatment endpoint was the suppression of HDV replication, as documented by the loss of detectable HDV RNA in serum. Geno-typing was used to analyse the IL28B polymorphisms rs12979860 and rs8099917 according to the virological response. Results : After treatment, a sustained viral response (SVR) was achieved in 19 (51%) of the patients treated with PEG-INF. The IL28B genotypes in the 80 patients were as follows : CC in 36 (45%), CT in 33 (41%) and TT in 11 (14%) for rs12979860, and GG in 4 (5%), GT in 27 (34%) and TT in 49 (61%) for rs8099917. SVR was achieved in 5 (26%), 10 (53%) and 4 (21%) patients with CC, CT and TT at rs12979860, respectively, and one (5%), nine (47%) and nine (47%) patients with GG, GT and TT at rs8099917, respectively. There were differences in the SVR among genotypes (rs12979860 and rs8099917; chi-squared test, p = 0.047). Conclusion : IL28B predicts the PEG-IFN response in patients with CHD infection.