SATURDAY, June 12 (HealthDay News) -- A genetic variant
associated with poor response to treatment for hepatitis C
infection has been identified by scientists.
The researchers analyzed the DNA of 1,362 hepatitis C patients
and pinpointed the variant in those who failed to respond to
treatment. The variant occurs in a gene called IL28B, which encodes
for the antiviral cytokine (cell-signaling) interferon lambda.
The study was to be presented Saturday at the annual conference
of the European Society of Human Genetics.
Current treatment for hepatitis C includes a combination of an
interferon and the antiviral medication ribavirin. Side effects are
common and can be so serious that some people have to take time off
work.
Identifying hepatitis C patients with this genetic variant could
spare them from suffering side effects from a treatment that will
provide them with little benefit, said the scientists at the
University of Lausanne in Switzerland in a news release from the
European Society of Human Genetics.
The research may also help in the development of new treatments,
they said.
More information
The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about
hepatitis C.