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Meta-Analysis
. 2013 Jun;20(6):377-84.
doi: 10.1111/jvh.12039. Epub 2013 Jan 7.

IL-28B polymorphisms and the response to antiviral therapy in HCV genotype 2 and 3 varies by ethnicity: a meta-analysis

A S Rangnekar  1 , R J Fontana
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

IL-28B polymorphisms and the response to antiviral therapy in HCV genotype 2 and 3 varies by ethnicity: a meta-analysis

A S Rangnekar et al. J Viral Hepat. 2013 Jun.

Abstract

Studies of IL-28B genotype in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2/3 infection have yielded conflicting results. The aim of this meta-analysis was to obtain a pooled odds ratio (OR) of the impact of IL-28B genotype on achieving sustained virologic response (SVR) in patients with HCV genotype 2/3 infection treated with pegIFN and ribavirin. A meta-analysis with a random effects model was performed, and study heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed. Forty-three percent of the Caucasians (11 studies) and 86% of Asians (five studies) had the favourable IL-28B genotype. In Caucasians, the pooled OR of SVR with the favourable IL-28B genotype was 1.36 (95%CI: 0.98-1.88, P = 0.07) in all patients and 1.55 (95%CI: 1.10-2.18, P = 0.01) in patients treated with pegIFN and ribavirin for ≥24 weeks. In Asians, the pooled OR of SVR in patients with the favourable IL-28B genotype was 1.99 (95%CI: 0.94-4.25, P = 0.07). The favourable IL-28B genotype was also significantly associated with rapid virologic response (RVR) in both groups (Caucasians: OR: 1.82, 95%CI: 1.12-2.96, P = 0.02; Asians: 2.39, 95%CI: 1.39-4.11, P = 0.002), as well as the likelihood of an SVR in a subgroup of 350 Caucasian patients without an RVR (OR: 3.29, 95%CI: 1.67-6.51, P = 0.001). The favourable IL-28B genotype is a statistically significant predictor of SVR and RVR in Caucasian patients treated with pegIFN and ribavirin for 24 weeks. In contrast, the favourable IL-28B genotype is associated with RVR, but not SVR in Asian HCV genotype 2 patients.

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Conflict of interest statement

Statement of Interests

Dr. Rangnekar has no financial conflicts of interest.

Dr. Fontana has served as a consultant to Bristol-Meyers Squibb, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Tibotec, Merck, GlaxoSmithkline and Medtronic in the past year. He has received research funding from Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Study selection overview
From a total of 308 studies, 16 studies met the inclusion criteria.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Forest plots of IL-28B genotype and SVR in patients with HCV genotype 2/3 infection stratified by race
A) There were 11 studies of 1599 Caucasian HCV genotype 2/3 patients and B) There were 5 studies of 833 Asian HCV genotype 2 patients.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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