IL28B polymorphisms predict the virological response to standard therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 4 infection.

Background: Genome-wide association studies have recently revealed that several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the interleukin (IL) 28B genes can predict the sustained virological response (SVR) to pegylated interferon-α2a/b plus ribavirin in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-genotype 1 patients. However, data for patients infected with HCV genotype 4 (HCV-G4) are limited.

Aim: We analyzed the association of IL28B SNPs (hematological, biochemical, virological, and pathological factors) with SVR in the HCV-G4 monoinfected cohort of patients.

The natural history and long-term outcomes in patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 4 after interferon-based therapy.

Background & Aims: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 4 (G4) infection is common in the Middle East. Post-treatment long-term outcomes have not been reported in these patients. This study evaluates these outcomes in patients after interferon-based therapy.

Radioembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma using TheraSphere®.

Background/aim: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignancy of the liver. Radioembolization with yttrium-90 (Y90) microspheres is a new concept in radiation therapy for HCC. This review focuses on the indications, efficacy, side effects, and future direction of Y90 therapy, using TheraSphere® , in HCC patients.

Polymorphisms in inflammatory pathway genes, host factors and lung cancer risk in Chinese female never-smokers.

Inflammation appears to be important in lung carcinogenesis among smokers, but its role among never-smokers is not well established. We hypothesized that inflammatory medical conditions and gene polymorphisms interact to increase lung cancer risk in never-smokers. We interviewed 433 Singaporean female never-smoker lung cancer patients and 1375 hospital controls, and evaluated six polymorphisms in the interleukin 1-β, interleukin 6 (IL6), cyclooxygenase-2, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and interleukin 1-β receptor antagonist (IL1RN) genes.

Prevalence and impact of hepatic steatosis on the response to antiviral therapy in Saudi patients with genotypes 1 and 4 chronic hepatitis C.

Background: Hepatic steatosis in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients has been shown to enhance the progression of liver fibrosis and decrease the response to antiviral therapy.

Aims: We aimed to determine the role of HCV genotype 4 (HCV-G4) in the prevalence of hepatic steatosis, its impact on antiviral therapy, and its associations and predictive factors in comparison to HCV-G1-infected patients.

Methods: Treatment-naïve HCV patients who were started on pegylated interferon a-2b plus ribavirin therapy in two centers in Saudi Arabia were included.

Association of blood lead and homocysteine levels among lead exposed subjects in Vietnam and Singapore.

Objectives: Lead and homocysteine are both linked to cardiovascular disease. With this in mind, the authors evaluated the relation between blood lead and homocysteine in people aged 19-66 years in two Asian populations.

Methods: This cross-sectional study comprised 183 workers from a lead stabiliser factory in Singapore and 323 workers from a battery factory in Vietnam.