IL28B polymorphisms predict the response to chronic hepatitis C virus infection treatment in a Mexican population

Introduction. The treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 with ribavirin (RBV) and pegylated-interferon alpha (peg-IFN alpha) provides a low-level sustained virological response (SVR). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the interleukin 28B (IL28B) gene have been identified as SVR predictors. Our aim was to establish an association between three IL28B SNPs (rs8099917, rs12979860, and rs8103142) and the peg-IFN alpha/RBV treatment response in a Mexican population cohort with chronic HCV. Material and methods. A cohort study was performed with 83 chronic HCV patients at the Fundacion Clinica Medica Sur in Mexico City. All patients were treated with peg-IFN alpha and RBV. The data were analyzed by logistic regression, with adjustments for age, gender, and viral genotype, to determine any associations between the SNPs and the treatment response. Results. In the study group of 83 HCV patients, the main genotype was genotype 1 (70%, n = 58) and the overall SVR was 32.53% (n = 27). In the HCV-1 group, SVR was 27%, whereas SVR was 44% in the HCV-2 group. We found an association between rs12979860 CC and SVR in a codominant model (OR = 4.83, 95% CI = 1.12-20.8, P = 0.033). There was no statistically significant association between SVR and rs8099917 or rs8103142. rs12979860 polymorphisms of CC, CT, and TT, were present in 24%, 41%, and 35% of patients, respectively. Conclusion. A Mexican HCV-1-infected population treated with peg-IFNa and RVB had a low SVR rate, which was associated with the SNP rs12979860 (CC). SVR was not associated with the SNPs rs8099917 or rs8103142.