Response of hepatitis C treatment can be estimated with a genetic test

The researchers found genes that can predict response to treatment of hepatitis C with interferon and ribavirin pegilasi. It was reported the researchers in the online edition of the journal Nature. According to the researchers, high knowledge of the parent genotype in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the future may become an important element for making clinical decisions about when to begin treatment.

There are an estimated 170 million people infected with HCV worldwide. Treatments that can eradicate the HCV infection is available, but can cause side effects and not always successful. Therefore, required a better understanding of the factors associated with response to HCV therapy.


The researchers studied human genes support the efficacy of HCV treatment. Study sample involved 1137 people infected with HCV genotype-1 (HCV type the most difficult to treat). There, patients were included in the IDEAL study, clinical trials examining the safety and effectiveness of interferon therapy for pegilasi HCV infection.

The researchers found that certain genes are most closely associated with sustained virologic response to treatment. The relationship was most obvious in people of European descent, with patients who have a gene that has a significantly increased chance of treatment response to anti-HCV than patients who did not have the gene (odds ratio [OR], 7.3; CI: 95%; 5 .1 to 10, 4). Genes that also increase the chance of success in the treatment of African Americans and Hispanics, but with a lower level than in whites.

Furthermore, the researchers found that the gene was more associated with treatment response in Americans of European descent than HCV RNA at the beginning or liver fibrosis, a general predictor of HCV treatment response. However, the European Americans and Hispanic descent, two common risk factors is a better guide to treatment response than the presence of genes.

The researchers argue that the discovery of genes that can explain the response to HCV therapy is better observed in white patients than African-Americans.

Some anti-HCV drugs currently being developed. The drug was included PI, and the researchers noted that research is needed to examine whether the gene also affects the response to drugs of this class. The researchers also argued that research should be conducted to determine whether genes play a role in the response to therapy in patients infected with different HCV genotypes.

As the gene also appears associated with eradication of HCV by nature and also the response to treatment, there was the impression "may be the result of genes involved in controlling HCV naturally." The study involved people infected with HCV only, so that still needs to be observed if the genes can predict response to treatment in patients coinfected with HIV / HCV.