IFNL3 polymorphisms and HCV infection in patients with beta thalassemia

BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY: Genome-wide association studies have identified host genetic variation to be critical for spontaneous clearance and treatment response in patients infected with hepatitis C virus. Recently, the role of the IFNL3 polymorphisms in influencing the spontaneous clearance of HCV, the response to interferon and the progression of liver fibrosis, was also demonstrated in patients with thalassemia major infected by genotype 1b. In the present study we retrospectively analyzed 368 anti-HCV positive patients with beta-thalassemia at two Italian major centers in Cagliari and Torino.