Article

Interferon-alfa, interferon-lambda and hepatitis C.

Thomas R. O'Brien is at the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. .
Nature Genetics (impact factor: 35.53). 09/2009; 41(10):1048-50. DOI:10.1038/ng.453 pp.1048-50
Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT Three new studies report genetic variants near IL28B, which encodes interferon-lambda3 (interleukin 28B), are associated with response to treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection with interferon-alfa/ribavirin combination therapy. This renews interest in how interferons suppress viremia and could lead to improved clinical decisions for chronic HCV infection treatment based on individual genotype.

0 0
 · 
0 Bookmarks
 · 
28 Views
  • Source
    Chapter: HCV-Recurrence After Liver Transplantation
    02/2012; , ISBN: 978-953-51-0016-4
  • Source
    Article: Clinical features of hepatitis C virus carriers with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase levels.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes chronic hepatitis, which frequently leads to hepatic fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is a biomarker of hepatocyte injury and is associated with the progression of hepatic fibrosis. Advanced hepatic fibrosis also predisposes HCV carriers to a risk of HCC. In contrast, some cases with persistent HCV infection have normal ALT levels that persist for a long time, and these HCV carriers have no or mild hepatitis and hepatic fibrosis. These HCV carriers are defined as persistent normal ALT (PNALT) cases and their risk of HCC is low compared to HCV carriers with abnormal ALT. However, there are various definitions of normal ALT and PNALT, and advanced hepatic fibrosis may be missed without a liver biopsy. In addition, there is also a risk of ALT elevation in HCV carriers with PNALT, which increases the risk of progression to hepatic fibrosis and HCC. Most HCV carriers with PNALT have asymptomatic or nonspecific symptoms. HCV carriers with PNALT are also considered to be responsive to interferon-based treatment. Thus, assessment of hepatic fibrosis is important in HCV carriers, and the eradication of HCV infection is more likely in HCV carriers with evidence of hepatic fibrosis, regardless of their ALT levels.
    Hepatitis Monthly 02/2012; 12(2):77-84. · 2.19 Impact Factor
  • Source
    Article: Genetic predisposition factors and nasopharyngeal carcinoma risk: a review of epidemiological association studies, 2000-2011: Rosetta Stone for NPC: genetics, viral infection, and other environmental factors.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: While infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is known to be an essential risk factor for the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), other co-factors including genetic factors are thought to play an important role. In this review, we summarize association studies conducted over the past decade to evaluate the role of genetic polymorphisms in NPC development. A review of the literature identified close to 100 studies, including 3 genome-wide association studies (GWAS), since 2000 that evaluated genetic polymorphisms and NPC risk in at least 100 NPC cases and 100 controls. Consistent evidence for associations were reported for a handful of genes, including immune-related HLA Class I genes, DNA repair gene RAD51L1, cell cycle control genes MDM2 and TP53, and cell adhesion/migration gene MMP2. However, for most of the genes evaluated, there was no effort to replicate findings and studies were largely modest in size, typically consisting of no more than a few hundred cases and controls. The small size of most studies, and the lack of attempts at replication have limited progress in understanding the genetics of NPC. Moving forward, if we are to advance our understanding of genetic factors involved in the development of NPC, and of the impact of gene-gene and gene-environment interations in the development of this disease, consortial efforts that pool across multiple, well-designed and coordinated efforts will most likely be required.
    Seminars in Cancer Biology 04/2012; 22(2):107-16. · 6.47 Impact Factor

Thomas R O'Brien