Interleukin 28B polymorphism impact on early HCV kinetics in HCV-infected liver transplant recipients undergoing antiviral therapy

Abstract

Aim. To estimate the impact of recipient IL28B genotypes on rapid (RVR) and early virologic responses (EVR) pattern in liver transplant recipients undergoing antiviral treatment (AVT).Material and methods. Blood samples were screened for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) near the IL28B genes (rs8099917 T ≥G and rs12979860 C>T) by kit «AmpliSens® Genoscreen-IL28B-FL» (CRIE) in 24 HCV-infected recipients. All the patients underwent pegylated interferon-alfa with (n=21) or without (n=3) ribavirin at least for 12 weeks.Results. Five recipients achieved RVR (one has HCV genotype 1 and 4 patients – HCV genotype 2 or 3) and other 10 – complete EVR. In 6 cases slow virologic response (aviremia between 12 and 24 weeks of treatment, SlVR) occurred. Three patients remained non-responders. G-allele (rs80999917) was present in 3 (20%) out of 15 pts. with complete EVR and in 5 out of 6patients with SlVR (p=0.014). Genotype C/C (rs12979860) was present in 6 (40%) patients with complete EVR and in none of slow-responders (one-sided p=0.041).The groups of recipients with and without complete EVR were comparable with sex, age, pre-treatment viral load, immunosuppression (cyclosporine vs. tacrolimus), weight and body mass index, and mean ribavirin dose. The only pre-treatment factors which have impact on complete EVR were genotype (1 vs. non-1) and IL28B polymorphisms.Conclusion. The SNP in IL28B region may predict slow response to AT in post-LTx setting and should be considered when AT duration is planning.

Keywords

• interleukin 28в
• pegilated interferon
• hepatitis c virus
• early viral kinetics