IL-21R gene polymorphisms and serum IL-21 levels predict virological response to interferon-based therapy in Asian chronic hepatitis C patients
Journal
Antiviral Therapy
Journal Volume
18
Journal Issue
4
Pages
599-606
Date Issued
2013
Author(s)
Hsu C.-S.
Liu W.-L.
Abstract
Background: IL-21R polymorphisms have been identified as potential predictors of virological outcomes in Western chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients receiving interferonbased treatment. We aimed to examine the associations of IL-21R genotypes and serum IL-21 levels with virological responses to interferon-based treatment in Asian CHC patients. Methods: Genomic and clinical data were collected from 178 consecutive Taiwanese HCV genotype 1 patients who received interferon-based therapy and 72 non-HCV healthy subjects. Among them, serum IL-21 levels, IL-21R and IL-28B genotypes were determined in 124 CHC patients and healthy controls. Results: Among patients with IL28B rs8099917 non-TT genotypes, patients with IL-21R rs3093390 CC genotype had a higher sustained virological response rate than those with non-CC genotypes (CC versus non-CC 14/24 versus 0/4; P=0.031). Compared with non-HCV controls, CHC patients had higher serum IL-21 levels (mean ±sdHCV versus non-HCV 377.8 ±780.9 versus 70.5 ±33.2 pg/ml; P=0.001). Patients with sustained virological response had higher pretreatment serum IL-21 levels than those without (adjusted OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.07, 0.80; P=0.021). Conclusions: CHC patients have higher serum IL-21 levels than healthy adults. Higher pretreatment serum IL-21 levels and IL-21R polymorphisms may serve as potential factors predictive of treatment outcomes in CHC patients with interferon-based therapy. ? 2013 International Medical Press.
SDGs
Other Subjects
alanine aminotransferase; alpha interferon; cytosine; interleukin 21; interleukin 21 receptor; interleukin 28B; peginterferon alpha2a; ribavirin; adult; antiviral therapy; article; Asian; controlled study; DNA polymorphism; drug response; female; genetic association; genotype; hepatitis C; human; IL 21R gene; major clinical study; male; outcome assessment; priority journal; protein blood level; Adult; Antiviral Agents; Case-Control Studies; Female; Hepacivirus; Hepatitis C, Chronic; Humans; Interferon-alpha; Interleukins; Male; Middle Aged; Polyethylene Glycols; Polymorphism, Genetic; Prognosis; Receptors, Interleukin-21; Recombinant Proteins; Taiwan; Viral Load
Publisher
International Medical Press Ltd
Type
journal article