title: The ITPA and C20orf194 Polymorphisms and Hematological Changes During Treatment With Pegylated-Interferon Plus Ribavirin in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It has been found that ITPase deficiency is caused by ITPA gene polymorphisms. It was observed that ITPA polymorphisms have impact on hematological changes, including hemoglobin (Hb)-decline during treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients with pegylated-interferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to assess the effect of ITPA and C20orf194 polymorphisms on hematological changes at week 4 of treatment with PEG-IFN plus RBV in patients with CHC.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective study, 168 patients with CHC (56% HCV genotype-1 and 44% HCV genotype-3) under the treatment of PEG-IFN plus RBV were genotyped for rs1127354, rs7270101 and rs6051702 polymorphisms by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Hematological changes including Hb-, platelet (Plt)- and white blood cell-decline at week 4 of the treatment were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In univariate analysis, rs1127354 and HCV genotypes were found to influence the Hb-decline at week 4 of the treatment. In multivariate analysis, rs1127354 CA + AA and HCV genotype-3 were found to have a great role on prevention of Hb-decline. Furthermore, rs1127354 and HCV RNA levels were found to influence the Plt-decline at week 4 of the treatment in the univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, rs1127354 CA + AA and HCV RNA levels less than 600,000 IU/mL were found to be associated with a higher level of Plt-decline.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with CHC, who were treated with PEG-IFN plus RBV, Hb-decline was affected by rs1127354 and HCV genotypes. However, Plt-decline may be altered by rs1127354 and baseline HCV RNA levels.
authors.affiliation: Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran; Armin Pathobiology Laboratory, Tehran, IR Iran; Department of Biology, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pouryasin
authors.affiliation: Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keshvari
authors.affiliation: Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran; Armin Pathobiology Laboratory, Tehran, IR Iran; Middle East Liver Diseases (MELD) Center, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Heidar
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sharafi
authors.affiliation: Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran; Middle East Liver Diseases (MELD) Center, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Moayed
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Alavian
authors.affiliation: Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran; Middle East Liver Diseases (MELD) Center, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Bita
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Behnava
authors.affiliation: Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran; Middle East Liver Diseases (MELD) Center, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Ehsan
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Alavian
authors.affiliation: Armin Pathobiology Laboratory, Tehran, IR Iran; Department of Biology, Arsanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arsanjan, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pouryasin
keywords: Chronic Hepatitis C; Genetic Polymorphism; Human ITPA Protein