Predictive value of IL-28B rs12979860 variants for peg-IFN, sofosbuvir plus ribavirin treatment of HCV infection in Pakistani population.

AIM: The correlation of IL28-B genetic variants (rs12979860) with combinational therapy (peg-interferon, sofosbuvir plus ribavirin) of hepatitis C virus infection were studied in 154 chronic hepatitis C patients.

METHODS & RESULTS: The sustained virological response for efficient antiviral regimen was achieved in 75.32% treated individuals. Three genotypes of rs12979860 (CC, CT and TT) were compared both in sustained virological response and nonresponders groups (p = 0.25, p ≤ 0.001, p = 0.10, respectively). CT genotype demonstrated a significant correlation (p ≤ 0.001) in both groups with higher positive predictive value (81.55%).

CONCLUSION: IL28 polymorphism and positive predictive value may be considered as the markers for the evaluation of the effectiveness of the treatment regimen. Further clinical trials are recommended to verify the role of IL28-B in hepatitis C virus treatment.