Interleukin-28B and Clearance of Hepatitis C Virus in HIV-Coinfected Patients

Recent studies involving patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) monoinfection have demonstrated that certain sequences near the interleukin (IL)-28B gene — known as the rs12979860 genotype — are associated with both spontaneous and treatment-induced HCV clearance. Now, investigators have examined whether these same sequences predict HCV treatment response in HIV-coinfected patients. The study involved 164 patients in Spain, most of whom had well-controlled HIV infection: The median CD4 count was 468 cells/mm³, and 73% of patients had undetectable HIV RNA levels on antiretroviral therapy.

The rate of sustained virologic response (SVR) to peginterferon/ribavirin therapy was 55% overall but was significantly higher in patients with the rs1297986…