Mutations within the interferon sensitivity determining region in Korean patients infected with hepatitis C virus genotype 1b |
Young-Joo Jin, M.D., Yoon Kyung Park, M.D., Gui Jun Yun, M.D.2, Han Chu Lee, M.D.,
Sook-Hyang Jeong, M.D.1, Gang Mo Kim, M.D., Young-Suk Lim, M.D., Young-Hwa Chung, M.D.,
Yung Sang Lee, M.D., Dong Jin Suh, M.D. |
Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
1Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Korea
2Health Promotion Center, East-West Neo Medical Center, Kyung Hee University, Korea |
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ABSTRACT |
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Background/Aims The treatment response to interferon could differ with mutations in the interferon-sensitivity-determining region (ISDR) in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype-1b (HCV-Ib). We examined the pattern of ISDR mutations and analyzed whether the number of amino acid substitutions influences the treatment response to peginterferon plus ribavirin in chronic hepatitis or cirrhotic patients infected with HCV-Ib. Methods: The study population comprised 52 patients who visited Seoul Asan Medical Center and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from January 2006 to December 2008 and who received peginterferon alpha-2a (n=37) or -2b (n=15) plus ribavirin, and whose serum was stored. We analyzed the early virologic response, end-of-treatment response, and sustained virologic response (SVR), and examined the ISDR using direct sequencing. Results: The proportions of patients with ISDR mutation types of wild (0mutations), intermediate (1-3 mutations), and mutant (≥4 mutations) were 50.0%, 42.3%, and 7.7%,respectively, and the corresponding SVR rates were 63%, 50%, and 67% (p>0.05). The SVR rates were 59.4% and 50.0% in patients with <2 and ≥2 mutations, respectively (p>0.05). On univariate analysis, age was the only predictive factor for SVR (p=0.016). The pretreatment HCV RNA titer tended to be lower in those with SVR, but without statistical significance (p=0.069). Conclusions: The frequency of ISDR mutations was low in our cohort of Korean patients infected with HCV-Ib. Therefore, ISDR mutations might not contribute to the response to treatment with peginterferon plus ribavirin. |
KeyWords:
Hepatitis C virus genotype-1b, Interferon sensitivity determining region, Early virologic response, End of treatment response, Sustained virologic response |
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