Interleukin 28B rs12979860 (CT/TT) genotype is associated with milder hepatic damage in the natural evolution of HCV/HIV coinfection.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)/human immunodefficiency virus (HIV) coinfection is a major health problem, affecting mostly to individuals with exposure to blood products, as hemophiliacs or intravenous drug users, or those exposed to high-risk sexual practices. Genotyping of interleukin 28B (IL-28B) rs12979860 polymorphism is a useful tool for guiding therapeutic decisions in this disease. On the contrary, there is not enough information on the pathogenic role of this polymorphism in the natural history of the disease.

[Gene expression profiling in the first twelve weeks of treatment in chronic hepatitis C patients].

Introduction: Gene expression profiling in the first weeks of treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C may contribute to better evaluate the response to interferon-based therapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the gene expression profiles of early responders and non-responders before, and after 12 weeks of treatment with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin.

Methods: Gene expression profiles were analysed in 12 patients with chronic hepatitis C, and scheduled for treatment with peginterferon alpha and ribavirin.

Increased Th1, Th17 and pro-fibrotic responses in hepatitis C-infected patients are down-regulated after 12 weeks of treatment with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin.

Hepatitis C virus causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The infection induces up-regulation of cytokine and chemokines commonly linked to the development of cellular and pro-inflammatory antiviral responses. The current standard in hepatitis C treatment consists of combination regimens of pegylated interferon-alpha plus ribavirin.