title: Tumor necrosis factor- alpha promoter polymorphism at position -308 predicts response to combination therapy in hepatitis C virus infection.
abstract: The G-->A transition in the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- alpha promoter region at position -308 (TNF308.2) and -238 (TNF238.2) were determined in 141 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Patients received combination therapy with high-dose interferon (IFN)- alpha and ribavirin for 24 weeks. A total of 100 patients (70.9%) had a sustained virologic response (SVR) after treatment. The TNF308.2 allele was independently associated with an SVR, particularly in patients with HCV genotype 1b infection and >200,000 IU of HCV RNA/mL in serum. In conclusion, the response to combination therapy with high-dose IFN- alpha and ribavirin may be associated, at least in part, with host genetic factors.
authors.affiliation: Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chia-Yen
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Wan-Long
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.forename: Wen-Yu
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Shinn-Cherng
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Li-Po
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ming-Yen
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Nai-Jen
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.forename: Zu-Yau
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Jee-Fu
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Ming-Yuh
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Liang-Yen
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ming-Lung
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D012254:Ribavirin