Impact of genetic polymorphisms of four cytokine genes on treatment induced viral clearance in HCV infected Egyptian patients

BackgroundMany factors contribute for viral clearance and response to antiviral therapy. Genetic polymorphisms of cytokines, chemokines, and their receptors can alter the immune response against Hepatitis C virus (HCV).Aim of the studyThe aim of the current study is to assess single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the promoter region of IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ and TGF-β as predictors of response to combined Pegylated interferon α/ribavirin (PEG-IFN/RBV) therapy in chronic HCV infected Egyptian patients.Patients and methodsThe study was conducted on 150 HCV infected patients and 100 apparently healthy control subjects. All patients were treated with PEG-IFN/RBV. They were classified according to their response to treatment.Genotyping of IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ and TGF-β were performed on peripheral blood DNA using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment-length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and primer specific assays.ResultsOverall, 83/150 (55.3%) patients achieved sustained virological response (SVR), whereas 67 (44.7%) did not. Age and BMI were significantly lower in patients who achieved SVR (P < 0.05). IL-10 at site (−1082) GG genotype was associated with SVR where odds ratio was 1.98 with 95% confidence interval (1.34-3.65). None of the other genes showed a significant association with SVR.ConclusionAnalysis of IL-10 SNP at promoter site (−1082) could be used as a pretreatment predictor of response to combined PEG-IFN/RBV treatment.