Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.
Interferons are a class of medicines made from immune signalling proteins the body produces against viruses. Interferon alfa (often as long-acting peginterferon) was used for hepatitis B and C and some cancers; interferon beta is used for multiple sclerosis; interferon gamma for rare immune conditions. This page collects studies on interferons as a group.
The best-known gene for the class concerns hepatitis C: variants in the IFNL3 (IL28B) region, such as rs8099917 and rs12979860, strongly predicted whether peginterferon-based treatment cleared the virus, and the variants are more common in people of East Asian ancestry, partly explaining differences in cure rates. Since interferon-free hepatitis C treatment arrived this matters much less. Other genes such as IL18 and STAT3 have been studied, with weaker evidence.
Every published finding on gene variants and Interferons. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.
PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.
IFNL3 rs8099917: Level 1B · replicated. Efficacy: Chronic hepatitis C virus infection. 45.
BCL2 rs1800477: Level 3. Efficacy: Hepatitis C virus infection. 1.
STAT3 rs4796793: Level 3. Efficacy: Renal Cell Carcinoma. 1.
IL18 rs187238: Level 3. Efficacy: Chronic hepatitis C virus infection. 1.
Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.
Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.
More drugs from the same category
Interferon alfa-2a (Interferons)
Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.
Content updated September 2026.
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