[Effects of HCV genotypes and HLA-DRB alleles on the response of chronic hepatitis C patients to interferon alpha and libavilin].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of HCV genotypes and HLA-DRB alleles on the response of chronic hepatitis C patients to interferon alpha and libavilin.


METHODS
Genotypes of HCV in 113 patients with HCV infection treated with interferon alpha and libavilin were investigated. Gene chips were used to analyze the frequency of HLA-DRB alleles in 25 patients of them. The response to interferon alpha and libavilin therapy were discussed.


RESULTS
The response rates in the four HCV types were different, HCV-IV/2b the highest (57.78%), HCV-I/1a and -III/2a lower (46.15% and 47.62%), and HCV-II/1b the lowest (11.76%). The response rate to IFN and libavilin therapy in patients with DRB1*07 positive was higher, while in patients with DRB1*04 positive was lower. Sex, HCV genotypes and HLA-DRB alleles were all related to the response. Female, patients with HCV-IV/2b and HLA-DRB1*07 presented almost complete response, but male, patients with HCV-II/1b and HLA-DRB1*04 usually appeared non-response. DRB1*07 allele and HCV-IV/2b were the closest factors related to the response.


CONCLUSIONS
Not only virus but also host playes an important role in the curative effect of anti-virus therapy. It is necessary to view from the angle of host, adjusting the host's immune status to accelerate the clearance of HCV.
Department of Gastroenterology, China-Japan Unit Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun 130031, China.
Jian
J
Jiao
Jiang-bin
JB
Wang
D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012254:Ribavirin