High resolution melting curve assay for detecting rs12979860 IL28B polymorphisms involved in response of Iranian patients to chronic hepatitis C treatment

IL-6 gene polymorphism predicts PEGylated IFN-α treatment response in hepatitis B surface antigen-positive chronic hepatitis B patients

Background: Genetic polymorphism can affect the response to antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Objective: The study examined the genetic association of the IL-6 rs1800796 polymorphism with PEGylated IFN-α (PegIFN-α) treatment response in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive CHB patients. Methods: Direct sequencing was done for the genotyping of the rs1800796 polymorphism in the serum of CHB patients. Results: More patients with combined response (n = 95) carried IL-6 rs1800796 GC genotypes, while CC genotype carriers possessed reduced HBeAg seroconversion rate and high values of hepatitis B virus DNA. Baseline HBsAg and HBeAg and IL-6 rs1800796 CC genotype were independently related to PegIFN-α treatment response. Conclusion: Detection of the IL-6 rs1800796 genotype in CHB patients may have potential guiding significance for PegIFN-α response.

MicroRNAs Profiling in HIV, HCV, and HIV/HCV Co-Infected Patients

BACKGROUND

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are important public health issues.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the association between microRNAs expression leveland immunological and viral markers in HIV, HCV, and HIV/HCV co-infected patients.

METHODS

The expression level of miR-29, miR-149, miR-199, miR-let7, miR-223, miR-155, miR-122, and miR-150 was evaluated in 20 HIV, 20 HCV, 20 co-infected patients, and 20 healthy controls using real-time PCR assay. HIV and HCVviral loads were measuredby real-time PCR, and also, CD4+ T-lymphocyte count was measuredby the PIMA CD4 analyzer.

RESULTS

The miRNA expression pattern in each mentioned group showed significantly different expression profiles, but some miRNA species were shared between the groups. MiR-122 and miR-155 were upregulated, while miR-29 and miR-223 were downregulated in three patients groups compared to healthy controls. A significant positive correlation was observed between the expression of miR-122 and HIV/HCV loads. But, miR-29 and let-7 were negatively correlated with HIV load, and miR-149 and let-7 were negatively correlated with HCV load. Also, miR-155 was positively correlated with HCV load. MiR-122 and miR-199 were negative while others were positively correlated with CD4+ T cell count.

CONCLUSION

These miRNAs are probably involved in the clinical progression and pathogenesis of HIV and HCV infections. Therefore, determining and manipulating these miRNAs can lead to opening a new gate to control these important infections.

Occult hepatitis C virus infection in hemophilia patients and its correlation with interferon lambda 3 and 4 polymorphisms

Occult HCV infection (OCI) is described as the presence of HCV RNA in the liver and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), with no HCV RNA in the serum. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near interferon lambda 3/4 (IFNL3/4) gene are associated with spontaneous clearance and treatment response in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In this study, we evaluated the frequency of OCI in hemophilia patients and determined the association of three IFNL3 SNPs (rs12979860, rs12980275, and rs8099917) and IFNL4 ss469415590 with OCI positivity. A total of 450 hemophilia patients with HCV negative markers were included in this study. Positive- and negative-stranded HCV-RNA was determined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) samples by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. IFNL3 SNPs and IFNL4 ss469415590 were genotyped by PCR-RFLP and TaqMan® Real-Time PCR methods, respectively. The frequency of OCI was estimated at 10.2%. Among 46 OCI patients, 56.5%, 23.9%, and 19.6% were infected with HCV-1b, HCV-1a, and HCV-3a, respectively. Compared to patients without OCI, unfavorable IFNL3 rs12979860 TT, IFNL3 rs8099917 GG, IFNL3 rs12980275 GG, and IFNL4 ss469415590 ∆G/∆G genotypes were more frequently reported in OCI patients. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that alanine aminotransferase (ALT), cholesterol, triglyceride, IFNL3 rs12979860 (TT), IFNL3 rs8099917 (GG), IFNL3 rs12980275 (GG), and IFNL4 ss469415590 (∆G/∆G) were associated with OCI positivity. In conclusion, we studied the incidence of OCI in Iranian patients with hemophilia for the first time. Our results demonstrated that unfavorable genotypes of IFNL3 SNPs and IFNL4 ss469415590 have a strong relationship with OCI positivity. It seems that the host immune response plays a vital role in OCI positivity.

Impact of Interleukin 28B and ICAM-1 Genetic Polymorphisms on Response to Direct Antiviral Treatment Among HCV Infected Patients

BACKGROUND

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IL-28B and/or ICAM-1 could have a role in expecting a response from HCV infected patients to direct antiviral agents (DAAs).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the current study was to investigate the impact of IL-28B rs12979860 and rs8099917, and, ICAM-1 rs281437 SNPs on response to treatment with sofosbuvir + Daclatsvir ± Ribavirin, among HCV-infected Egyptian patients.

METHODS

Whole blood genomic DNA was extracted from 120 participants (80 HCV-infected patients and 40 healthy volunteers). HCV-infected patients were subdivided into responders and nonresponders to DAAs. Liver function testing, anti-HCV antibodies, HCV-RNA viral load and HCV genotyping were performed. IL-28B and ICAM-1 SNPs were evaluated by real-time PCR.

RESULTS

ALT and AST levels were significantly higher among non-responder HCV infected patients (P = 0.001*). 90% of the patients had HCV genotype 4a and the remaining 10% had 4l genotype. Allelic discrimination revealed that IL-28B rs12979860 T, IL-28B rs809917 T and ICAM-1 rs281437 C alleles were more frequent among HCV-infected patients (responders or non-responders) than controls. However, IL-28B rs8099917 G allele was more frequent among healthy controls. Regarding the response to DAAs treatment, HCV-infected patients with IL-28B rs8099917 GG genotype showed a significantly earlier viral response compared to those carrying TT alleles. ICAM-1 rs281437 CT alleles were non significantly more frequent among responders. However, IL-28B rs12979860 alleles did not show any difference.

CONCLUSION

Genotyping of IL-28B rs8099917 is a useful independent tool for expecting a response of Egyptian HCV-infected patients to DAAs.

Association of HCV genotype with viral load among Iranian blood donors: a penalized logistic regression

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a blood born virus and the leading cause of advanced hepatitis disease. HCV genotype 3a is predominant among Iranian blood donors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between HCV genotype and HCV viral load. Methods: In this analytical cross-sectional study 106 anti-HCV positive and HCV RNA positive blood donors referred to Iranian blood centers across the county were entered. HCV viral loads were determined by an in-house one step Taq Man Real-Time RT-PCR assay. Penalized logistic regression was performed for data analysis. STATA software version 13 was used for statistical analysis. Results: The mean age was 37.94 ± 9.04 years ranged from 19 to 58 years. Male gender included 104 (98.1%) of subjects. 31, 10 and 65 subjects were infected with genotypes1a, 1b, and 3a, respectively. The mean viral load was 1.44 × 106 ± 4.5× 105 IU/ml. HCV viral load was not significantly different among subjects infected with HCV genotypes 1, 1.49 × 10 6 ± 4.57 × 10 6 IU/ml compare to genotype 3, 1.40 × 10 6 ± 5.58 4.58 × 106 IU/ml (p=0.93). Conclusion: Although not significant, the frequency of subjects with high viral load (> 800,000 IU/ml) was higher in subjects infected with genotype 3 than those of genotype 1. No associations were found between demographic characteristics and HCV genotype. Although the study was unable to find any association between HCV genotype and HCV viral load/ HCV viral load group, it highlighted the role of high viral load in the high circulation of HCV genotype 3a among Iranian blood donors.

Peg-interferon Plus Ribavirin Combination Therapy in HCV Mono-infected and HCV/HIV Co-infected Patients in Iran

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a cause of major liver complications, particularly in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) and a fixed dose of ribavirin treatment among Iranian HCV mono-infected and HCV/HIV-co-infected patients.

Methods: A total of 214 HCV mono-infected and HCV/HIV co-infected patients attending Liver Disease Center in Tehran were assigned to receive treatment with Peg-IFN-α2a or -α2b plus ribavirin for 24-48 weeks. Sustained virologic response (SVR) was used as the primary efficacy endpoint of Peg-IFN and ribavirin therapy.

Results: Treatment with Peg-IFN and ribavirin has been associated with a considerably higher rate of SVR (24 weeks for HCV genotype 3 and 48 weeks for HCV/HIV co-infected and HCV genotype 1 patients). Overall, the clearance of HCV-RNA at the end of therapy occurred in 48.6% of patients. Adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation were seen in 14% of patients.

Conclusion: This retrospective study revealed a relatively well-tolerated response in both HCV mono-infected and HCV/HIV coinfected patients during treatment with Peg-IFN and ribavirin. However, the recent revolutionized interferon-free therapies for chronic HCV infection should be taken into account for achieving a greater response and minimal adverse events.

Epstein-Barr virus and risk of breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Despite the numerous publications regarding the role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in breast cancer development, the topic has still remained controversial. The aim of the meta-analysis was to estimate the overall prevalence of EBV in the breast cancer population, and to investigate the association between EBV and breast cancer risk. The overall prevalence of EBV was calculated 26.37% (95% CI: 22-31%) from the 44 included studies. Meta-analysis of 30 case-control studies showed that the pooled association between EBV and risk of breast cancer is odds ratio 4.74 (95% CI: 2.92-7.69; Z = 6.30; p < 0.0001). Our analyses indicate a strong statistical relationship between EBV infection and risk of breast cancer, suggesting a potential role of EBV infection in the development of breast cancer.

Evaluation of TRIM5 and TRIM22 polymorphisms on treatment responses in Iranian patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection

The tripartite motif (TRIM)-5 and TRIM22 are involved in innate immune response and show anti-viral activities. The current study aimed at evaluating the association of TRIM5 and TRIM22 polymorphisms with treatment outcomes in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (CHC). TRIM5 rs3824949 and TRIM22 polymorphisms (rs7113258, rs7935564, and rs1063303) were genotyped using TaqMan polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay in 425 treatment-naïve CHC patients. Rapid virological response (RVR), early virological response (EVR), and sustained virological response (SVR) were found in 54.1%, 74.8%, and 67.1% of the patients, respectively. RVR and SVR were associated with TRIM5 rs3824949 (GG), TRIM22 rs1063303 (GC), and TRIM22 rs7113258 (AA), while there was a relationship between TRIM5 rs3824949 (GG) and EVR. TRIM5 and TRIM22 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were strongly associated with increased odds of RVR, EVR, and SVR after an interferon-based therapy in patients with CHC.

Correlation of CD81 and SCARB1 polymorphisms on virological responses in Iranian patients with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1

The cluster of differentiation 81 (CD81) and scavenger receptor class B member 1 (SCARB1) plays an important role in the entry of hepatitis C virus (HCV). We assessed the correlation of five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CD81 (rs800136, rs2651842, rs2522012, rs800146, and rs708564) and SCARB1 rs10846744 polymorphisms with treatment responses in 395 treatment-naïve patients with chronic HCV (CHC) genotype 1 treated with pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin (pegIFN-α/RBV). The frequency of rapid virologic response (RVR), complete early virologic response (cEVR) and sustained virologic response (SVR) were 57.2%, 55.2%, and 58.2%, respectively. RVR, cEVR, and SVR were significantly associated with CD81 rs800136 (CC), CD81 rs2651842 (AA), CD81 rs708564 (TT), and SCARB1 rs10846744 (CC). High rates of RVR, cEVR, and SVR were reported for the CD81 rs800136 (CC), CD81 rs2651842 (AA), and CD81 rs708564 (TT) genotypes when correlated with higher levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) as well as lower levels of HDL and LDL in the SCARB1 rs10846744 (CC) genotype. In addition, patients with GG genotype had higher fasting blood glucose (FBS) level than those with CC genotype. In conclusion, CD81 and SCARB1 SNPs may serve as powerful predictor factors for treatment responses in CHC patients, and this effect is correlated with serum lipoprotein and FBS levels.

First detection of human hepegivirus-1 (HHpgV-1) in Iranian patients with hemophilia

A novel blood-borne virus called the human hepegivirus 1 (HHpgV-1) was recently discovered in hemophilia patients. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of HHpgV-1 in hemophilia patients. A total of 436 serum samples were investigated for the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV), human pegivirus-1 (HPgV-1), torque teno virus (TTV), and HHpgV-1. Out of the 436 patients, 163 (37.4%), 19 (4.4%), 76 (17.4%), and four (0.9%) patients were positive for HCV, HPgV-1, TTV, and HHpgV-1, respectively. HHpgV-1 patients had a mean viral load of 4.9 ± 0.3 log RNA copies/mL and were co-infected with HCV-1a, HPgV-1, and TTV. Moreover, three HHpgV-1-positive patients exhibited stage F0 liver fibrosis. HCV viral load in HHpgV-1-positive patients was lower than those of HHpgV-1-negative patients. Results also revealed that co-infection of HHpgV-1 with HPgV-1 and HCV may play a protective role in patients with chronic HCV. In conclusion, we detected a low frequency of HHpgV-1 infection in hemophilia patients, and results suggested that HHpgV-1 infection was correlated with the presence of other blood-borne viruses and is likely to also correlate with low HCV viral load and reduced severity of liver disease. Additional studies are required to further investigate the clinical importance of HHpgV-1.

Data Mining and Machine Learning Algorithms Using IL28B Genotype and Biochemical Markers Best Predicted Advanced Liver Fibrosis in Chronic Hepatitis C

IL28B single nucleotide polymorphism (rs12979860) is an etiology-independent predictor of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related hepatic fibrosis. Data mining is a method of predictive analysis which can explore tremendous volumes of information from health records to discover hidden patterns and relationships. The current study aims to evaluate and compare the prediction accuracy of scoring system like aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index versus data mining for the prediction of HCV-related advanced fibrosis. This retrospective study included 427 patients with chronic hepatitis C. We used data mining analysis to construct a decision tree by reduced error (REP) technique, followed by Auto-WEKA tool to select the best classifier out of 39 algorithms to predict advanced fibrosis. APRI and FIB-4 had sensitivity-specificity parameters of 0.523-0.831 and 0.415-0.917, respectively. REPTree algorithm was able to predict advanced fibrosis with sensitivity of 0.749, specificity of 0.729, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area of 0.796. Out of the 16 attributes, IL28B genotype was selected by the REPTree as the best predictor for advanced fibrosis. Using Auto-WEKA, the multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural model was selected as the best predictive algorithm with sensitivity of 0.825, specificity of 0.811, and ROC area of 0.880. Thus, MLP is better than APRI, FIB-4, and REPTree for predicting advanced fibrosis for patients with chronic hepatitis C.

The association of LMP7 and TAP2 gene polymorphisms with treatment response to interferon/ribavirin in patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C

Previous studies have highlighted the important role of genes related to antigen presentation in the spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus. The present study aimed to explore the association between TAP, LMP and tapasin gene polymorphism and treatment response in chronic hepatitis C virus (CHC) patients. Six single nucleotide polymorphisms in TAP, LMP and tapasin genes were genotyped among 352 Chinese genotype 1 CHC patients with pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin (pegIFN-α/RBV) treatment. There were 232 cases achieving sustained virological response (SVR), which yielded an SVR rate of 65.9%. LMP7 rs2071543 variant genotypes [additive model: odds ratio (OR), 0.52; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.33-0.82; P=0.005] and TAP2 rs1800454 variant genotypes (additive model: OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.45‑0.98; P=0.039) were suggested to decrease the possibility of achieving an SVR. After conducting combined effect analysis of rs2071543 and rs1800454, the authors found that the SVR rate was lower among patients carrying more unfavorable rs1800454-A and rs2071543-A alleles, and the SVR rate of carrying 3-4 alleles was 20%. In addition, carrying two unfavorable alleles led to significantly decreased possibility for SVR (OR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.14-0.61; P=0.001). Multivariate stepwise analysis indicated that rs2071543, rs1800454, glucose, α-fetoprotein, platelets and baseline viral load were risk factors of SVR that were independent of each other. The area under the curve (AUC) consisting of all the above factors produced an AUC of 0.704 (95% CI, 0.647‑0.761; P<0.001). The line charts indicated that the drop in viral load was significantly faster in GG patients than in GC/CC patients during the whole therapy, which was in accordance with the decline of viral load in rs2071543. The present study illustrated that the carriage of LMP7 rs2071543-AA and TAP2 rs1800454-AA had a negative effect on treatment response to pegIFN-α/RBV among genotype 1 patient with CHC in a Chinese Han population.

The impact of genetic variation in IL28B, IFNL4 and HLA genes on treatment responses against chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near the interleukin-28B (IL28B), interferon lambda 4 (IFNL4) and the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) gene are associated with treatment responses in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) virus infection treated with pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin (pegIFN-α/RBV). We compared the role of IL28B SNPs (rs12979860, rs12980275, and rs8099917), IFNL4 ss469415590 and HLA rs4273729 with treatment outcomes in patients with CHC virus. A total of 520 Iranian patients with CHC infection were enrolled. SNPs in IL28B, IFNL4 ss469415590 and HLA rs4273729 were genotyped by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism, TaqMan® Real-Time PCR and direct sequence. Out of 520 CHC treatment-naive patients, 42.9% were infected with HCV-1a, 15.4% with HCV-1b, 9.8% with HCV-2, and 31.9% with HCV-3a. Rapid virologic response (RVR), complete early virologic response (cEVR), and sustained virologic response (SVR) were 53.3%, 73.8%, and 66.7%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that IL28B rs12980275 and IFNL4 ss469415590 in all HCV genotypes were associated with RVR. In addition, IL28B rs12979860 and RVR in all HCV genotypes and IL28B rs12980275, IFNL4 ss469415590, and HLA rs4273729 in HCV subtypes 1a, 1b, and 3a correlated with cEVR. In patient's achieving-SVR, IL28B rs12980275, and RVR in all HCV genotypes and IL28B rs12979860, IFNL4 ss469415590, and HLA rs4273729 in HCV subtypes 1a, 1b, and 3a were the powerful predictor factors. As the first report of its kind published in Iran, we indicated that beside IL28B SNPs and HLA rs4273729, IFNL4 ss469415590 was a powerful predictor factor for RVR, cEVR and SVR. Genotyping these SNPs may be a helpful priority in the treatment of patients with HCV infection, especially in countries where access to triple or double therapy with a viral protease inhibitor is limited.

EGFR rs11506105 and IFNL3 SNPs but not rs8099917 are strongly associated with treatment responses in Iranian patients with chronic hepatitis C

Interferon lambda 3 (IFNL3) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may play a key role in the spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and treatment responses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of IFNL3 SNPs and EGFR rs11506105 on treatment outcomes in patients with chronic HCV (CHC). IFNL3 SNPs and EGFR rs11506105 were genotyped by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism and PCR-sequencing, respectively, in 235 naïve patients with CHC infection. The frequency of rapid virologic response (RVR), complete early virologic response (cEVR) and sustained virologic response (SVR) were 52.3%, 76.2% and 64.7% respectively. The results of this study showed that RVR was associated with ALT (P=0.015), AST (P=0.020), IFNL3 rs12979860 (CC) (P=0.043), rs12980275 (AA) (P=1 × 10-4), and EGFR rs11506105 (AA) (P=0.010), and IFNL3 rs12979860 (CC) (P=0.048), rs12980275 (AA) (P=0.022), and EGFR rs11506105 (AA) (P=0.006) were correlated with cEVR. HCV genotype (P=0.007), IFNL3 rs12979860 (CC) (P=0.023), IFNL3 rs12980275 (AA) (P=1 × 10-4), EGFR rs11506105 (AA) (P=0.005), RVR (P=1 × 10-4), and cEVR (P=0.003) were significant predictors for SVR. These results, for the first time, revealed that beside IFNL3 SNPs, EGFR rs11506105 is strongly associated with RVR, cEVR and SVR. EGFR rs11506105 besides IFNL3 SNPs could predict treatment responses in CHC patients.

Effect of IL15 rs10833 and SCARB1 rs10846744 on virologic responses in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin

The scavenger receptor type B class I (SCARBI) is known to be involved in the entry of hepatitis C virus (HCV) into the host, while interleukin-15 (IL15) is an important cytokine in both the innate and acquired immune responses against HCV infection. We investigated the association of IL15 rs10833 or SCARB1 rs10846744 polymorphisms with treatment responses in patients with chronic HCV (CHC). SCARB1 rs10846744 and IL15 rs10833 were identified in 365 treatment-naïve CHC patients through genotyping by TaqMan® Real-Time PCR and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), respectively. Of these 365 CHC treatment-naïve patients, rapid virological response (RVR), complete early virological response (cEVR), and sustained virological response (SVR) were observed in 53.2%, 76.4%, and 66.0% of the patients, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that RVR was associated with sex (P=0.016), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P=0.026), IL15 rs10833 (AA) genotype (P<0.001), and SCARB1 rs10846744 (CC) genotype (P<0.001), while there was a relationship between alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (P=0.013) and IL15 rs10833 (AA) genotype (P<0.001) with cEVR. Age (<40years) (P=0.001), AST (P=0.029), ALP (P=0.028), HCV genotypes (P=0.005), HCV viral load (P=0.026), IL15 rs10833 (AA) genotype (P<0.001), and SCARB1 rs10846744 (CC) genotype (P=0.001) were strongly associated with SVR. In conclusion, the SCARB1 rs10846744 (CC) and IL15 rs10833 (AA) genotypes can be considered as powerful predictors of treatment responses in CHC patients treated with an interferon-based therapy.

IL28B rs12980275 and HLA rs4273729 genotypes as a powerful predictor factor for rapid, early, and sustained virologic response in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Interleukin-28B (IL28B) gene and rs4273729 in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) gene in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) virus infection are important for predicting treatment outcome. In this study, the distribution of IL28B SNPs (rs12979860 and rs12980275) and HLA rs4273729 in rapid virologic response (RVR), complete early virologic response (cEVR) and sustained virologic response (SVR) in HCV Iranian patients with CHC virus infection was assessed. IL28B genotyping and rs4273729 were performed using the amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS)-PCR and direct sequencing in 190 CHC virus infections, respectively. RVR, cEVR, and SVR were 53.2 %, 78.9 %, and 65.8 %, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that the responses significantly predicted SVR in patients with age <40 years (p = 0.008), HCV genotypes (p = 0.032), IL28B rs12979860 CC genotype (p < 0.001), rs12980275 AA genotype (p < 0.001), rs4273729 GG genotype (p < 0.001), RVR (p < 0.001) and cEVR (p = 0.024). Three critical predictor factors based on RVR response were rs12979860 CC genotype (p = 0.033), rs12980275 AA genotype (p < 0.001) and rs4273729 GG genotype (p < 0.001), while rs12980275 AA (p = 0.003) and rs4273729 GG genotypes (p < 0.001) predicted cEVR. For the first time in Iran, these results revealed that the rs12980275 and HLA rs4273729 are important for the treatment of CHC infection. These findings may help predict responses to CHC infection treatment and reduce the cost and side effects of therapy.