Impact of interleukin 28B polymorphisms on spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus infection: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Recent studies suggested that interleukin 28B (IL28B) polymorphisms may affect spontaneous clearance (SC) of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Our purpose was to update the meta-analysis to reevaluate the impact of IL28B rs12979860 and rs8099917 polymorphisms on SC in patients infected with HCV.

METHODS: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase up to February 2013. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated by fixed- or random-effects models. Heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias were also assessed.

RESULTS: Seventeen eligible papers were involved in this study. The SC rate was higher in patients with the rs12979860 CC (vs CT/TT OR = 2.98, 95% CI 2.53-3.50) and rs8099917 TT (vs GT/GG OR = 2.80, 95% CI 2.23-3.51) in the IL28B polymorphisms. Ethnicity stratification revealed that rs12979860 CC was associated with SC for Caucasians (vs CT/TT OR = 3.05, 95% CI 2.67-3.49), Asians (vs CT/TT OR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.33-2.66), and Africans (vs CT/TT OR = 3.15, 95% CI 2.39-4.15); rs8099917 TT was associated with SC for Caucasians (vs GT/GG OR = 2.48, 95% CI 1.96-3.15).

CONCLUSIONS: IL28B rs12979860 and rs8099917 single nucleotide polymorphisms are significantly associated with SC of HCV infection. The predictive value of rs12979860 CC was stronger in Caucasians and Africans than in Asians.