Serum 25(OH)D3 levels affect treatment outcomes for telaprevir/peg-interferon/ribavirin combination therapy in genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C

Abstract

Background: Close relationships between chronic hepatitis C and vitamin D levels have been reported. For genotype 1b infection, the current standard of care is pegylated interferon/ribavirin therapy combined with a protease inhibitor. The present study analyzed the relationship between outcomes of triple therapy and serum 25(OH)D3 levels.

Methods: Factors contributing to sustained virological response were investigated in 177 patients with chronic hepatitis C who received telaprevir-based triple therapy in this prospective study.

Results: The sustained virological response rate was 86.9% in patients with 25(OH)D3 levels of >18 ng/ml; this was higher than the 66.7% in patients with 25(OH)D3 levels of ≤ 18 ng/ml (P=0.003). 25(OH)D3 levels and IL28B genotype were identified as significantly independent factors contributing to sustained virological response. The sustained virological response rate did not differ according to 25(OH)D3 levels in patients with the IL28B major genotype. The sustained virological response rate was 64.9% in patients with the IL28B minor genotype and 25(OH)D3 levels of >18 ng/ml, and was 38.5% in those with decreased 25(OH)D3 levels (P=0.045).

Conclusions: In triple therapy, 25(OH)D3 levels were an independent factor contributing to sustained virological response. Of particular note, the sustained virological response rate was significantly lower in patients with the IL28B minor genotype.

Keywords: 25(OH)D(3); Hepatitis C virus; Pegylated interferon; Telaprevir.