Document Type

Article

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

Background/Aim

Certain host genetic polymorphisms reportedly affect the likelihood of a sustained virological response (SVR) to interferon treatment in subjects infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). As part of the HALT-C trial we evaluated genetic associations among patients infected with HCV genotype 1 who had failed previous interferon treatment.

Methods

SVR was determined 24 weeks after completing treatment with pegylated interferon alfa-2a and ribavirin. Eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected on the basis of previously reported associations with treatment response. Genotypes were assessed by polymerase chain reaction-based assays. The percentage of patients who achieved SVR was determined for each genotype and for an IL-10 promoter diplotype.

Results

Among 637 non-Hispanic Caucasian patients there were no significant associations between genotype for any individual SNP (IL10 -1082, IL10 -592, TNF -308, TNF -238, TGFB1 codon 25, CCL2 -2518, EPHX1 codon 113 and AGT -6) and SVR, but SVR was more common among the patients who were homozygous for the ACC IL-10 promoter diplotype (adjusted odds ratio, 3.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.33–7.78; p=0.001).

Conclusions

Among non-Hispanic Caucasian patients treated with peginterferon and ribavirin after failing previous treatment with interferon, homozygosity for the ACC IL-10 promoter diplotype was associated with SVR.

Comments

J Hepatol. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2014 January 27. Published in final edited form as: J Hepatol. 2008 October; 49(4): 548–556. Published online 2008 June 5. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2008.05.011 PMCID: PMC3903339 NIHMSID: NIHMS71476

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