The IL-28 Genotype: How It Will Affect the Care of Patients with Hepatitis C Virus Infection

[Guest guest]

http://www.metapress.com/content/p073600530736t4l/

The IL-28 Genotype: How It Will Affect the Care of Patients with Hepatitis C

Virus Infection

Journal Current Gastroenterology Reports

Publisher Current Medicine Group LLC

ISSN 1522-8037 (Print) 1534-312X (Online)

Pages 1-9

DOI 10.1007/s11894-010-0161-9

Subject Group Medicine

Online Date Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Authors

L. Pearlman1, 2, 3

1Center for Hepatitis C, Atlanta Medical Center, 285 Boulevard NE, Suite 140,

Atlanta, GA 30312, USA

2Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA USA

3Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA USA

Abstract

The hypothesis that host genetics play an essential role in the ability not only

to clear acute hepatitis C infection but also to achieve sustained virologic

response (SVR) to interferon (IFN)-based therapy has been proved with the recent

discovery of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms on chromosome 19. Variants in

the minor allele rs8099917 and the proximate polymorphism rs12979860, 3 kb

upstream of the interleukin (IL)-28B gene, which encodes the endogenous

antiviral cytokine IFN-ë, are associated with SVR and with natural viral

clearance. The disparate frequencies of these alleles in ethnic groups worldwide

may well explain differing rates of SVR among them. The test for one of these

polymorphisms is now commercially available and can serve as a powerful

predictor of a patient's chance of achieving SVR. Perhaps more importantly, the

test can help the clinician personally tailor the duration and even the type of

therapy that is most appropriate for an individual patient, newly or chronically

infected with the hepatitis C virus.

[Guest guest]

http://www.metapress.com/content/p073600530736t4l/

The IL-28 Genotype: How It Will Affect the Care of Patients with Hepatitis C

Virus Infection

Journal Current Gastroenterology Reports

Publisher Current Medicine Group LLC

ISSN 1522-8037 (Print) 1534-312X (Online)

Pages 1-9

DOI 10.1007/s11894-010-0161-9

Subject Group Medicine

Online Date Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Authors

L. Pearlman1, 2, 3

1Center for Hepatitis C, Atlanta Medical Center, 285 Boulevard NE, Suite 140,

Atlanta, GA 30312, USA

2Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA USA

3Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA USA

Abstract

The hypothesis that host genetics play an essential role in the ability not only

to clear acute hepatitis C infection but also to achieve sustained virologic

response (SVR) to interferon (IFN)-based therapy has been proved with the recent

discovery of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms on chromosome 19. Variants in

the minor allele rs8099917 and the proximate polymorphism rs12979860, 3 kb

upstream of the interleukin (IL)-28B gene, which encodes the endogenous

antiviral cytokine IFN-ë, are associated with SVR and with natural viral

clearance. The disparate frequencies of these alleles in ethnic groups worldwide

may well explain differing rates of SVR among them. The test for one of these

polymorphisms is now commercially available and can serve as a powerful

predictor of a patient's chance of achieving SVR. Perhaps more importantly, the

test can help the clinician personally tailor the duration and even the type of

therapy that is most appropriate for an individual patient, newly or chronically

infected with the hepatitis C virus.