Interleukin-28B rs12979860C/T and rs8099917T/G contribute to spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus in Caucasians

Two single nucleotide polymorphisms rs12979860C/T and rs8099917T/G around interleukin-28B (IL28B) locus have been extensively investigated in their association with hepatitis C virus (HCV) spontaneous clearance. However, with the variable and even inconsistent results, it is necessary to conduct a meta-analysis. A literature search was conducted to seek articles about genetic variation of IL28B and spontaneous clearance of HCV. Odds ratio with 95% confidential interval were calculated to estimate their relationship. Furthermore, meta-regression analysis was performed to search for potential affective factors. A total of 8 studies including 2460 patients with chronic HCV infection and 1052 individuals with spontaneous HCV clearance met inclusion criteria, in which seven studies describing rs12979860 and three studies describing rs8099917. Analysis performed in Caucasian populations indicated that rs12979860CC and rs8099917TT contributed to HCV spontaneous clearance in both dominant model (CC vs. CT + TT, P < 1 × 10− 4; TT vs. TG + GG, P < 10− 4, respectively) and co-dominant model (CC vs. CT, P < 1 × 10− 4, CC vs. TT, P < 1 × 10− 4; TT vs. TG, P < 10− 4, TT vs. GG, P = 0.012, respectively). Meta-regression analysis suggested that male proportion (P = 1 × 10− 5) and mean age (P = 1 × 10− 3) might weaken the effect of rs12979860CC, but HCV genotype 1/4 (P = 4 × 10− 4) might contribute to it. IL28B rs12979860CC and rs8099917TT genotypes contribute to spontaneous HCV clearance in Caucasians.

► Rs12979860CC had protective effects on HCV spontaneous clearance in Caucasians.
► Rs8099917TT had protective effects on HCV spontaneous clearance in Caucasians.
► Female was a protective factor for HCV viral control.