Contribution of genome-wide HCV genetic differences to outcome of interferon-based therapy in Caucasian American and African American patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has six major genotypes, and patients infected with genotype 1 respond less well to interferon-based therapy than other genotypes. African American patients respond to interferon alpha-based therapy at about half the rate of Caucasian Americans. The effect of HCV's genetic variation on treatment outcome in both racial groups is poorly understood.

Methodology

We determined the near full-length pre-therapy consensus sequences from 94 patients infected with HCV genotype 1a or 1b undergoing treatment with peginterferon alpha-2a and ribavirin through the Virahep-C study. The sequences were stratified by genotype, race and treatment outcome to identify HCV genetic differences associated with treatment efficacy.

Principal findings

HCV seque

SUBMITTER: Donlin MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2815788 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature