Influence of IL28B gene polymorphisms on PegINF-RBV-mediated HCV clearance in HIV-HCV co-infected patients: A meta-analysis

Background

Previous studies suggested, variations in the IL28B gene can serve as predictors of sustained and rapid virological responses (SVR and RVR) in the treatment of HCV with pegylated interferon and ribavirin (pegINF-RBV) among HCV-HIV co-infected patients. Here, we explored the correlation between IL28B variants (rs12979860, rs8099917 and rs12980275) and treatment response for HCV among co-infected individuals using meta-analysis.

Methods

Relevant studies were retrieved from PubMed, EBSCO, ISI Web of Knowledge, Cochrane databases, and the role of IL28B variants on SVR and RVR in co-infected patients treated with pegINF-RBV was evaluated. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by fixed- and random-effects models.

Results

Forty-three studies consisting 3499 patients who achieved SVR/RVR and 4308 non-responders were included in our study. The CC, TT and AA genotypes of IL28B rs12979860, rs8099917 and rs12980275, respectively, were associated with SVR in the recessive model for all HCV genotypes: rs12979860, OR = 3.18 [95% CI (2.66, 3.79)]; P < 0.0001; rs8099917, OR = 3.6`9 [95% CI (2.74, 4.97)]; P < 0.0001; rs12980275, OR = 2.97 [95% CI (2.26, 3.89)]; P < 0.0001. Significant association of rs12979860 CC genotype with RVR was also found: OR = 2.31 [95% CI (1.54, 3.57)]; P < 0.0001. Stratification analysis of HCV genotypes revealed similar trends of association with the rs12979860 CC genotype for HCV-1, HCV-1/4 and HCV-4, but no association was found for HCV-2/3 and HCV-3.

Conclusions

Our meta-analysis suggests that the CC, TT and AA genotypes of IL28B rs12979860, rs8099917 and rs12980275, respectively, are strong predictors for SVR, and the rs12979860 CC genotype has significant RVR predictive value in HCV-HIV co-infected patients treated with pegINF-RBV.