Il-21R Gene Polymorphisms and Serum Il-21 Levels Predict Virological Response to Interferon-Based Therapy in Asian Chronic Hepatitis C Patients. Issue 4 (May 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hsu, Ching-Sheng; Hsu, Shih-Jer; Liu, Wei-Liang; Chen, Chi-Ling; Liu, Chun-Jen; Chen, Pei-Jer; Chen, Ding-Shinn; Kao, Jia-Horng
• Is Part Of: Antiviral therapy. Volume 18:Issue 4(2013)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 8
• Publication Date: 2013-05
• Subjects: Antiviral agents -- Periodicals; Antiviral Agents -- therapeutic use; Virus Diseases -- therapy; Viruses -- drug effects; Antiviral agents; Periodical; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.9106
• DOI: 10.3851/IMP2502
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-6535

Abstract

Background: IL-21R polymorphisms have been identified as potential predictors of virological outcomes in Western chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients receiving interferon-based treatment. We aimed to examine the associations of IL-21R genotypes and serum IL-21 levels with virological responses to interferon-based treatment in Asian CHC patients. Methods: Genomic and clinical data were collected from 178 consecutive Taiwanese HCV genotype 1 patients who received interferon-based therapy and 72 non-HCV healthy subjects. Among them, serum IL-21 levels, IL-21R and IL-28B genotypes were determined in 124 CHC patients and healthy controls. Results: Among patients with IL28B rs8099917 non-TT genotypes, patients with IL-21R rs3093390 CC genotype had a higher sustained virological response rate than those with non-CC genotypes (CC versus non-CC 14/24 versus 0/4; P =0.031). Compared with non-HCV controls, CHC patients had higher serum IL-21 levels (mean ±sd HCV versus non-HCV 377.8 ±780.9 versus 70.5 ±33.2 pg/ml; P =0.001). Patients with sustained virological response had higher pretreatment serum IL-21 levels than those without (adjusted OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.07, 0.80; P =0.021). Conclusions: CHC patients have higher serum IL-21 levels than healthy adults. Higher pretreatment serum IL-21 levels and IL-21R polymorphisms may serve as potential factors predictive of treatment outcomes in CHC patients with interferon-based therapy.