AUTHOR=Ying Sang-Yu , Hu Yao-Ren , Gao Guo-Sheng , Lou Ke-Hong , Huang Zhen 

TITLE=Interleukin-28B Polymorphisms Predict the Efficacy of Peginterferon Alpha in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B: A Meta-Analysis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine

VOLUME=8

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2021.691365

DOI=10.3389/fmed.2021.691365

ISSN=2296-858X

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Background:</bold> Polyethylene glycol interferon alpha (PEG-IFN-α) is the most frequently used pharmacotherapeutic approach in patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Numerous studies have reported that <italic>interleukin-28B (IL-28B)</italic> genetic polymorphisms are related to the therapeutic efficacy of PEG-IFN-α, but the results are inconsistent. The present meta-analysis aimed to analyze the association between <italic>IL-28B</italic> genetic polymorphisms and the prognosis of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treated with PEG-IFN-α to inform clinical practice.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> PubMed, EBSCO, and Scopus databases were searched for relevant literature published before February 30, 2021. We calculated the crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the cited articles. A total of 2510 patients with CHB treated with PEG-IFN-α in 13 clinical cohort studies were analyzed.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> The overall analysis demonstrated a potential association between <italic>IL-28B</italic> genetic polymorphisms and response to PEG-IFN-α; however, the association was not statistically significant. Furthermore, the subgroup analysis revealed that among patients with HBeAg-negative CHB, the <italic>rs12979860</italic> CC genotype and <italic>rs8099917</italic> TT genotype were associated with more significant treatment response to PEG-IFN-α (CC vs. non-CC: OR 2.78, 95% CI 1.00–7.76, <italic>I</italic><sup>2</sup> = 83%; TT vs. non-TT: OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.35–3.48, <italic>I</italic><sup>2</sup> = 0%). Among Asian patients with CHB, the <italic>rs12979860</italic> CC genotype was associated with a more significant treatment response to PEG-IFN (CC vs. non-CC: OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.18–2.99, <italic>I</italic><sup>2</sup> = 0%).</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> This meta-analysis revealed that the <italic>IL-28B rs12979860</italic> CC genotype and <italic>rs8099917</italic> TT genotype indicated a better treatment response than non-CC and non-TT genotypes for PEG-IFN-α in patients with CHB.</p>