Hepatitis C virus genotypes, HLA-DRB alleles and their response to interferon-alpha and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
BACKGROUND
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a worldwide common disease. Some predictive factors influencing the response to interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) therapy have been identified, but the conclusions differ in various counties and areas. The aim of this study was to study the associations between HCV genotypes, HLA-DRB alleles and their response to IFN-alpha and ribavirin in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C in Northeast China.


METHODS
HCV genotypes of 113 patients with HCV were investigated. Gene chips were used to analyze the frequency of HLA-DRB in 25 of these patients and their response to IFN-alpha and ribavirin. The associations of HCV genotypes, HLA-DRB alleles and their response to IFN-alpha and ribavirin were also studied.


RESULTS
The response rates differed in several types of HCV, with HCV 2b being the highest (57.78%), HCV 1a and 2a lower (46.15% and 47.62%) and HCV 1b the lowest (11.76%). The response rates to IFN-alpha and ribavirin in patients with DRB1*07 were higher than those with DRB1*04. Sex, HCV type and HLA-DRB were all related to the response. Most female patients with HCV 2b and HLA-DRB1*07 presented complete response, whereas male patients with HCV 1b and HLA-DRB1*04 usually demonstrated no response. DRB1*07 allele and HCV 2b were the factors closely related to the response.


CONCLUSIONS
The response rate of HCV 1b may be the lowest even IFN-alpha and ribavirin are combined in treatment. Not only virus but also the host plays an important role in anti-virus therapy. Thus, it is necessary to adjust the host's immune status to accelerate the clearance of HCV.
Jiao
Jian
J
Digestive Department, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun 130031, China. zxyjj@sohu.com
Wang
Jiang-Bin
JB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005819:Genetic Markers; D005838:Genotype; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005819:Genetic Markers; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin