Hey, I have a question about this IL28B gene and hepatitis c treatment.........
Part One: Hey Can I Get Hepatitis C From......
Part Two: Hey, I Have A Question About HCV Tests
Part Three : Hey,I Have Questions About Cirrhosis And My Liver......
Part Four: Thirty Eight Questions About Hepatitis C
Updated On April 18th 2011
Quest Diagnostics Launches Hepatitis C Virus Therapy Test Based on IL28B Gene Variants
What is a gene?
A gene is the basic physical and functional unit of heredity. Genes, which are made up of DNA, act as instructions to make molecules called proteins. In humans, genes vary in size from a few hundred DNA bases to more than 2 million bases. The Human Genome Project has estimated that humans have between 20,000 and 25,000 genes.
. . .
Every person has two copies of each gene, one inherited from each parent. ..
Most genes are the same in all people, but a small number of genes (less than 1 percent of the total) are slightly different between people. .
Alleles are forms of the same gene with small differences in their sequence of DNA bases. These small differences contribute to each person’s unique physical features.
Part Two: Hey, I Have A Question About HCV Tests
Part Three : Hey,I Have Questions About Cirrhosis And My Liver......
Part Four: Thirty Eight Questions About Hepatitis C
Updated On April 18th 2011
Quest Diagnostics Launches Hepatitis C Virus Therapy Test Based on IL28B Gene Variants
What is a gene?
A gene is the basic physical and functional unit of heredity. Genes, which are made up of DNA, act as instructions to make molecules called proteins. In humans, genes vary in size from a few hundred DNA bases to more than 2 million bases. The Human Genome Project has estimated that humans have between 20,000 and 25,000 genes.
. . .
Every person has two copies of each gene, one inherited from each parent. ..
Most genes are the same in all people, but a small number of genes (less than 1 percent of the total) are slightly different between people. .
Alleles are forms of the same gene with small differences in their sequence of DNA bases. These small differences contribute to each person’s unique physical features.
Genes are made up of DNA. Each chromosome contains many genes.
Source
How is the IL28B gene related to Hepatitis C ?
Variations in the IL28B gene have recently been linked to better treatment response among people with chronic hepatitis C virus
What is the official name of the IL28B gene?
The official name of this gene is “interleukin 28B (interferon, lambda 3).”
What The Heck Does That Mean ?
Background From Liz Highleyman ,
As background, the relevant variations—known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), or substitution of a single building block at a specific position in the DNA chain—are located on chromosome 19 near the IL28B gene. The IL28B gene encodes instructions for making interferon lambda (a.k.a. interleukin 28). Interferons produced by the body are key to the immune system's response against hepatitis C and B; interferon therapy strengthens this natural response. ,
Will Someone Tell Me What a single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) Is ?
Single nucleotide polymorphisms, frequently called SNPs (pronounced “snips”), are the most common type of genetic variation among people. Each SNP represents a difference in a single DNA building block, called a nucleotide. For example, a SNP may replace the nucleotide cytosine (C) with the nucleotide thymine (T) in a certain stretch of DNA.
.. .
SNPs occur normally throughout a person’s DNA. They occur once in every 300 nucleotides on average, which means there are roughly 10 million SNPs in the human genome. Most commonly, these variations are found in the DNA between genes. They can act as biological markers, helping scientists locate genes that are associated with disease. When SNPs occur within a gene or in a regulatory region near a gene, they may play a more direct role in disease by affecting the gene’s function. .
Most SNPs have no effect on health or development. Some of these genetic differences, however, have proven to be very important in the study of human health. Researchers have found SNPs that may help predict an individual’s response to certain drugs, susceptibility to environmental factors such as toxins, and risk of developing particular diseases. SNPs can also be used to track the inheritance of disease genes within families. Future studies will work to identify SNPs associated with complex diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Source
What Are Alleles?
Alleles are corresponding pairs of genes located at specific positions in the chromosomes. Together, alleles determine the genotype of their host organism. .
For example, the alleles for eye color are found on chromosomes 15 and 19, and depending on which alleles someone has, he or she may have blue, brown, green, gray, or hazel eyes, and sometimes a mixture of these traits is present. Source
What Are "C" and "T" Alleles ?
As mentioned above a person inherits two copies of each gene; one from each parent to make up each allele. The IL28B rs12979860 SNP has two alleles or variations which are regonized as "C" and "T". .
Then What Is C/C or "CC" ?
In Hepatitis C patients who have the C/C pattern simply means that they have two copies of the "C" allele.
Then What Is T/T or "TT" ?
The same is true in Hepatitis C Patients who have the T/T pattern or two "T" alleles .
What Does This Mean To The Heptitis C Patient?
Hepatitis C Patients With The C/C pattern or two "C" alleles have the best response to HCV therapy..
As for the T/T pattern or two "T" alleles they have the least response to therapy. .
What If A Person Has The C/T pattern?
The C/T pattern would mean the person has one copy of each allele. These people would fall somewhere in between.
Source For The Explanation Of "C" and "T" alleles collected from HCV Advocates Article "IL28B Gene Highlighted at AASLD—Liz Highleyman"
Summarize All Of This Please
TT - Poorest response to Hepatitis C treatment.
CC - Best response to Hepatitis C treatment.
CT - Somewhere in between TT and CC alleles.
Non-genetic and genetic factors play a part in determining whether PEG-IFNalpha/RBV therapy will work. Recent research has identified several inherited variations near the interleukin 28B (IL28B) gene that could eventually help doctors identify those people with hepatitis C for whom the standard treatment is doomed to fail.
See: Response to Hepatitis C Treatment
** Note: It has been proven that people of European descent more commonly have the C/C pattern this may explain why white patients infected with HCV respond better then black patients.
Is There A Test For The IL28B Gene?
LabCorp Launches Interleukin 28B Polymorphism (IL28B) Genotype Test to Support Individualized Treatment Decisions for Patients with Hepatitis C Viral Infection.
Service Announcement >> .
From HCV Advocate Note: The term CC genotype used to describe the variation of IL28B is not same as the term used for different strains of HCV (called genotypes)–numbered 1 through 6. ..
Excerpt From HCV Advocates Newsletter
The Gene that Predicts--
Alan Franciscus, Editor-in-Chief.
At this point, many people are interested in receiving the IL-28B assay to help determine their chances for successful Hepatitis C treatment. Unfortunately, most insurance companies do not currently cover this pricey test. While several individuals have reported that some Hepatitis C clinical trials may include this test in their screening protocol, the majority of those with this virus may not be able to obtain it yet. The time needed for such a policy change within health insurance companies can be a positive or a negative. .
On the plus side, knowing your IL-28B allele combo can better guide a doctor and patient toward a custom-tailored Hepatitis C treatment regimen..
On the other hand, revelation of a TT allele combo could be cause for an insurance company to deny treatment coverage. Regardless of what tests are currently covered by health insurance companies, there is little doubt that Hepatitis C treatment is becoming increasingly specialized. Besides knowing the Hepatitis C genotype you are infected with, each person will eventually need to know which nucleotides are on the IL-28B segment of his or her genome. Being armed with specific genetic information about the virus and specific genetic information about the infected person will help practitioners construct the best possible Hepatitis C treatment plan for their patients.
Continue reading...........
Links:..,
Nov 2010
IL28B Gene Patterns and Liver Transplant Outcomes in Hepatitis C Patients
SUMMARY: Variations in the IL28B gene, which are associated with spontaneous hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance and response to interferon, also appear to influence the speed of HCV recurrence, treatment response, and complications after liver transplantation, according to 2 studies presented at the recent American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases "Liver Meeting" (AASLD 2010) in Boston. Transplant outcomes were linked not only to the IL28B pattern of the recipient, but also variations in the new donor liver..
Do IL28B Gene Variations Affect Liver Disease Progression in People with Hepatitis C ? .
June 2010
An IL28B Polymorphism Determines Treatment Response of Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 2 or 3 Patients Who Do Not Achieve a Rapid Virologic Response .
Hepatitis studies: IL28B genetics, HCV survival, FibroScan in acute HCV, MSM reinfection and responses to transplantation.
July 2010
Are We on the Verge of Gene-Based Personalized Treatment for Hepatitis C Virus Infection?
From Medscape Gastroenterology William F. Balistreri, MD
Data presented at Digestive Disease Week 2010 further indicated that we can predict sustained virologic response on the basis of emerging validation of the genetic variation in regulation of the immune response to HCV.[13] The specific IL28B polymorphism (C/C, which occurs in up to 33% of patients) is strongly associated with reduced expression of intrahepatic ISGs and the response rate to PegIFN and ribavirin. Genetic variation in IL28B regulates the innate immune response to HCV in the liver, priming patients for a stronger response to exogenous IFN alpha therapy.[13]
Thus, at least 5 independent studies provide overwhelming genetic evidence for the role of IL-28B in the pathogenesis of HCV infection and in spontaneous and treatment-related recovery from HCV infection. Future studies will link these findings to improved, and perhaps personalized, HCV treatment and prevention worldwide.
May 2010
Reaping the Early Harvest of the Genomics Revolution - IL28B gene predicts response to Peg/Rbv SVR in Caucasians & African-Americans- Editorial
Gastroenterology May 2010 Raymond T. Chung (Associate Editor) Much fanfare heralded the successful sequencing of the human genome in 2003. Newly armed with a comprehensive understanding of the human genetic map, investigators proclaimed that personalization of medicine was imminent. Now, 7 years after this signal discovery, where do we stand in the delivery on this promise to clinical care?
Jan 2010
IL28B gene variation predicts response to hepatitis C treatment: will it change treatment of co-infection?
Variations in the IL28B gene that have recently been linked to better treatment response among people with chronic hepatitis C virus infection may also predict recovery in HIV/HCV-coinfected people..
Abstracts
HCV Advocate
IL28B Gene Highlighted at AASLD
Liz Highleyman
The Gene that Predicts
Alan Franciscus, Editor-in-Chief
Also See ; Hepatitis C Test: Likeihood Of Achieving SVR
VIDEO March 2010
Genetic Variation in IL28B Is Associated With Chronic Hepatitis C and Treatment Failure...
AmerGastroAssn March 23, 2010
Dr. Andri Rauch discusses his manuscript "Genetic Variation in IL28B Is Associated With Chronic Hepatitis C and Treatment Failure: A Genome-Wide Association Study."
To view the print version of this abstract go to: http://tiny.cc/kdnlw
Source
How is the IL28B gene related to Hepatitis C ?
Variations in the IL28B gene have recently been linked to better treatment response among people with chronic hepatitis C virus
What is the official name of the IL28B gene?
The official name of this gene is “interleukin 28B (interferon, lambda 3).”
What The Heck Does That Mean ?
Background From Liz Highleyman ,
As background, the relevant variations—known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), or substitution of a single building block at a specific position in the DNA chain—are located on chromosome 19 near the IL28B gene. The IL28B gene encodes instructions for making interferon lambda (a.k.a. interleukin 28). Interferons produced by the body are key to the immune system's response against hepatitis C and B; interferon therapy strengthens this natural response. ,
Will Someone Tell Me What a single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) Is ?
Single nucleotide polymorphisms, frequently called SNPs (pronounced “snips”), are the most common type of genetic variation among people. Each SNP represents a difference in a single DNA building block, called a nucleotide. For example, a SNP may replace the nucleotide cytosine (C) with the nucleotide thymine (T) in a certain stretch of DNA.
.. .
SNPs occur normally throughout a person’s DNA. They occur once in every 300 nucleotides on average, which means there are roughly 10 million SNPs in the human genome. Most commonly, these variations are found in the DNA between genes. They can act as biological markers, helping scientists locate genes that are associated with disease. When SNPs occur within a gene or in a regulatory region near a gene, they may play a more direct role in disease by affecting the gene’s function. .
Most SNPs have no effect on health or development. Some of these genetic differences, however, have proven to be very important in the study of human health. Researchers have found SNPs that may help predict an individual’s response to certain drugs, susceptibility to environmental factors such as toxins, and risk of developing particular diseases. SNPs can also be used to track the inheritance of disease genes within families. Future studies will work to identify SNPs associated with complex diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Source
What Are Alleles?
Alleles are corresponding pairs of genes located at specific positions in the chromosomes. Together, alleles determine the genotype of their host organism. .
For example, the alleles for eye color are found on chromosomes 15 and 19, and depending on which alleles someone has, he or she may have blue, brown, green, gray, or hazel eyes, and sometimes a mixture of these traits is present. Source
What Are "C" and "T" Alleles ?
As mentioned above a person inherits two copies of each gene; one from each parent to make up each allele. The IL28B rs12979860 SNP has two alleles or variations which are regonized as "C" and "T". .
Then What Is C/C or "CC" ?
In Hepatitis C patients who have the C/C pattern simply means that they have two copies of the "C" allele.
Then What Is T/T or "TT" ?
The same is true in Hepatitis C Patients who have the T/T pattern or two "T" alleles .
What Does This Mean To The Heptitis C Patient?
Hepatitis C Patients With The C/C pattern or two "C" alleles have the best response to HCV therapy..
As for the T/T pattern or two "T" alleles they have the least response to therapy. .
What If A Person Has The C/T pattern?
The C/T pattern would mean the person has one copy of each allele. These people would fall somewhere in between.
Source For The Explanation Of "C" and "T" alleles collected from HCV Advocates Article "IL28B Gene Highlighted at AASLD—Liz Highleyman"
Summarize All Of This Please
TT - Poorest response to Hepatitis C treatment.
CC - Best response to Hepatitis C treatment.
CT - Somewhere in between TT and CC alleles.
Non-genetic and genetic factors play a part in determining whether PEG-IFNalpha/RBV therapy will work. Recent research has identified several inherited variations near the interleukin 28B (IL28B) gene that could eventually help doctors identify those people with hepatitis C for whom the standard treatment is doomed to fail.
See: Response to Hepatitis C Treatment
** Note: It has been proven that people of European descent more commonly have the C/C pattern this may explain why white patients infected with HCV respond better then black patients.
Is There A Test For The IL28B Gene?
LabCorp Launches Interleukin 28B Polymorphism (IL28B) Genotype Test to Support Individualized Treatment Decisions for Patients with Hepatitis C Viral Infection.
Service Announcement >> .
From HCV Advocate Note: The term CC genotype used to describe the variation of IL28B is not same as the term used for different strains of HCV (called genotypes)–numbered 1 through 6. ..
Excerpt From HCV Advocates Newsletter
The Gene that Predicts--
Alan Franciscus, Editor-in-Chief.
At this point, many people are interested in receiving the IL-28B assay to help determine their chances for successful Hepatitis C treatment. Unfortunately, most insurance companies do not currently cover this pricey test. While several individuals have reported that some Hepatitis C clinical trials may include this test in their screening protocol, the majority of those with this virus may not be able to obtain it yet. The time needed for such a policy change within health insurance companies can be a positive or a negative. .
On the plus side, knowing your IL-28B allele combo can better guide a doctor and patient toward a custom-tailored Hepatitis C treatment regimen..
On the other hand, revelation of a TT allele combo could be cause for an insurance company to deny treatment coverage. Regardless of what tests are currently covered by health insurance companies, there is little doubt that Hepatitis C treatment is becoming increasingly specialized. Besides knowing the Hepatitis C genotype you are infected with, each person will eventually need to know which nucleotides are on the IL-28B segment of his or her genome. Being armed with specific genetic information about the virus and specific genetic information about the infected person will help practitioners construct the best possible Hepatitis C treatment plan for their patients.
Continue reading...........
Links:..,
Nov 2010
IL28B Gene Patterns and Liver Transplant Outcomes in Hepatitis C Patients
SUMMARY: Variations in the IL28B gene, which are associated with spontaneous hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance and response to interferon, also appear to influence the speed of HCV recurrence, treatment response, and complications after liver transplantation, according to 2 studies presented at the recent American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases "Liver Meeting" (AASLD 2010) in Boston. Transplant outcomes were linked not only to the IL28B pattern of the recipient, but also variations in the new donor liver..
Do IL28B Gene Variations Affect Liver Disease Progression in People with Hepatitis C ? .
June 2010
An IL28B Polymorphism Determines Treatment Response of Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 2 or 3 Patients Who Do Not Achieve a Rapid Virologic Response .
Hepatitis studies: IL28B genetics, HCV survival, FibroScan in acute HCV, MSM reinfection and responses to transplantation.
July 2010
Are We on the Verge of Gene-Based Personalized Treatment for Hepatitis C Virus Infection?
From Medscape Gastroenterology William F. Balistreri, MD
Data presented at Digestive Disease Week 2010 further indicated that we can predict sustained virologic response on the basis of emerging validation of the genetic variation in regulation of the immune response to HCV.[13] The specific IL28B polymorphism (C/C, which occurs in up to 33% of patients) is strongly associated with reduced expression of intrahepatic ISGs and the response rate to PegIFN and ribavirin. Genetic variation in IL28B regulates the innate immune response to HCV in the liver, priming patients for a stronger response to exogenous IFN alpha therapy.[13]
Thus, at least 5 independent studies provide overwhelming genetic evidence for the role of IL-28B in the pathogenesis of HCV infection and in spontaneous and treatment-related recovery from HCV infection. Future studies will link these findings to improved, and perhaps personalized, HCV treatment and prevention worldwide.
May 2010
Reaping the Early Harvest of the Genomics Revolution - IL28B gene predicts response to Peg/Rbv SVR in Caucasians & African-Americans- Editorial
Gastroenterology May 2010 Raymond T. Chung (Associate Editor) Much fanfare heralded the successful sequencing of the human genome in 2003. Newly armed with a comprehensive understanding of the human genetic map, investigators proclaimed that personalization of medicine was imminent. Now, 7 years after this signal discovery, where do we stand in the delivery on this promise to clinical care?
Jan 2010
IL28B gene variation predicts response to hepatitis C treatment: will it change treatment of co-infection?
Variations in the IL28B gene that have recently been linked to better treatment response among people with chronic hepatitis C virus infection may also predict recovery in HIV/HCV-coinfected people..
Abstracts
HCV Advocate
IL28B Gene Highlighted at AASLD
Liz Highleyman
The Gene that Predicts
Alan Franciscus, Editor-in-Chief
Also See ; Hepatitis C Test: Likeihood Of Achieving SVR
VIDEO March 2010
Genetic Variation in IL28B Is Associated With Chronic Hepatitis C and Treatment Failure...
AmerGastroAssn March 23, 2010
Dr. Andri Rauch discusses his manuscript "Genetic Variation in IL28B Is Associated With Chronic Hepatitis C and Treatment Failure: A Genome-Wide Association Study."
To view the print version of this abstract go to: http://tiny.cc/kdnlw