Single nucleotide polymorphisms near IL28B gene and response to treatment of chronic hepatitis C in hemodialysis patients

Background: It has been shown that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near the interleukin 28B (IL28B) gene were associated with sustained virological response following standard antivirological treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between SNPs near the IL28B gene and response to the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in hemodialysis patients. Patients and methods: The study group included 24 hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C routinely treated with pegylated interferon alpha-2 a. HCV genotype 1 was the cause of chronic hepatitis C in all study participants. Sustained virological response was determined by an assay with a sensitivity of 20 IU/mL, 6 months after completion of the antivirological treatment. The genotyping of the three most widely studied IL28B gene polymorphisms (rs12979860, rs8099917, and rs12980275) was performed in all study participants. Results: Sustained virological response was achieved in 50% of the treated patients. The treatment response was significantly associated with the CC genotype of rs12979860, TT genotype of rs8099917, and AA genotype of rs12980275 (p = 0.003, p = 0.009, and p = 0.012, respectively). Conclusions: The three most widely studied SNPs near the IL28B gene were associated with sustained virological response following antivirological treatment of chronic hepatitis C in hemodialysis patients.