The baseline characteristics that have been associated with response to boceprevir-based therapy include host factors (IL28B genotype, liver fibrosis stage, ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), age and statin use),[4], [6] viral factors (HCV-1 subtype 1b vs. 1a, baseline HCV RNA level),[4], [6] and interferon responsiveness (past treatment response, as well as on-treatment viral decline during the first 4 weeks of lead-in PR therapy).[4], [6] Despite the recognition that these variables are important, predicting response for an individual patient remains difficult. The gene discussed is IFNL3; the disease is Hepatic fibrosis.