Genotype at the sIL-6R A358C polymorphism does not influence response to anti-TNF therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between genotype at the soluble interleukin 6 receptor (sIL-6R) A358C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP, rs8192284), previously reported to correlate with soluble receptor levels, and response to anti-TNF therapy in subjects with RA.


METHODS
In a large cohort of Caucasian RA patients treated with anti-TNF medications (total, n = 1050; etanercept, n = 455; infliximab, n = 450; and adalimumab, n = 142), the sIL-6R A358C polymorphism was genotyped using a Taqman 5'-allelic discrimination assay. Linear regression analysis adjusted for baseline 28 joint disease activity score (DAS28), baseline HAQ score, gender and use of concurrent DMARDs was used to assess the association of genotype at this polymorphism with response to anti-TNF therapy, defined by change in DAS28 after 6 months of treatment. Analyses were performed in the entire cohort, and also stratified by an anti-TNF agent. Additional analysis according to the EULAR response criteria was also performed, with the chi-squared test used to compare genotype groups.


RESULTS
No association between genotype at sIL-6R A358C and response to anti-TNF treatment was detected either in the cohort as a whole or after stratification by anti-TNF agent, in either the linear regression analysis or with response segregated according to EULAR criteria.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that genotype at the functional sIL-6R A358C SNP is not associated with response to anti-TNF treatment in patients with RA.
Hassan
Batool
B
Academic Rheumatology Group, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
Maxwell
James R
JR
Hyrich
Kimme L
KL
Barton
Anne
A
Worthington
Jane
J
Isaacs
John D
JD
Morgan
Ann W
AW
Wilson
Anthony G
AG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D002097:C-Reactive Protein