Role of Interleukin-28B Genetic Polymorphisms in Korean Patients with Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Background/Aims: This study investigated the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near the interleukin-28B (IL28B) gene with respect to clinical outcomes and the anti-viral response in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection to suggest the practical utility of IL28B genotyping in Korea. Methods: Two SNPs near IL28B, rs12979860 and rs8099917, were analyzed using an allelic discrimination assay in a total of 454 individuals, including 147 health-check examinees and 307 patients with HCV infection. Results: The CC genotype frequency was significantly higher in the spontaneous recov-ery group than in the chronic infection group and was higher in the chronic hepatitis group than in the liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma group, suggesting its favorable role in the clinical outcome. Multivariate analysis revealed that the rs12979860 CC genotype was an independent predic