IL-28β gene polymorphism determines virological response to PEGylated interferon therapy in hepatitis C virus genotype 4 Egyptian patients

Background PEGylated interferon (PEG-IFN) in combination with ribavirin is the gold standard for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). The majority of patients received PEG-IFN/ribavirin achieve a sustained viral response (SVR), but few cases failed to respond. It was evident that host genetic factors determine the treatment-induced viral clearance as well as spontaneous response. In the current study, the rs12979860 polymorphism of IL28 beta gene was analyzed and its association with the virological response to PEG-IFN treatment was determined. Methods One hundred and fifty Egyptian patients with HCV genotype 4 treated with PEG-IFN/ribavirin were assessed at 12 and 24 weeks of therapy, the rs12979860 genotype was determined using TaqMan-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results Although the CC genotype was the most frequent (58%), the higher SVR was achieved for patients with favorable CC genotype (93%) in contrast to CT and TT genotypes. Conclusion we conclude that IL28B polymorphism is highly associated with SVR to therapy in the Egyptian population infected with HCV genotype 4 and patients who carry CC genotype have a higher chance of SVR.