Genome-Wide Association Studies and Hepatitis C: Harvesting the Benefits of the Genomic Revolution.

Utilizing genome-wide association studies (GWASs) to examine the variation in hepatitis C virus (HCV) phenotypes has led to quantum improvements in our understanding of both the genetic basis and the underlying pathogenesis of HCV infection. In this context, the discovery of interferon lambda polymorphisms is unique with far reaching implications that extend well beyond HCV to various other liver and extrahepatic diseases. In this review, we summarize the data on the impact of GWASs on our understanding of HCV disease.