Tumor Necrosis Factor-a Promoter Polymorphism at Position --308 Predicts Response to Combination Therapy in Hepatitis C Virus Infection.

The G→A transition in the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- αa promoter region at position -308 (TNF3O8.2) 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)-α and ribavirin for 24 weeks. A total of 100 patients (70.9%) had a sustained virologic response (SVR) after treatment. The TNF3O8.2 allele was independently associated with an SVR, particularly in patients with HCV genotype lb infection and >200,000 IU of HCV RNA/mL in serum. In conclusion, the response to combination therapy with high-dose IFN-α and ribavirin may be associated, at least in part, with host genetic factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]