Association of genetic polymorphisms of IFN-α/β receptor-1 promoter-408 site with response to interferon-α therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection

Objective:To identify the host single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNP) of the IFN-α/β receptor-1 promoter-408 site and predict interferon response in chronic hepatitis B patients.Methods:Single nucleotide polymorphisms of the IFN-α/β receptor-1 promoter-408 site(IFN-α/β-408) were detected by polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and gene sequencing analysis in 210 chronic hepatitis B(CHB)patients(mild 38 cases,moderate 102 cases and severe 70 cases).SNP of the IFN-α/β-408 were compared with the responsiveness of 80 cases of CHB patients to pegylated interferon-alfa-2a/2b(Peg-IFN-α-2a/2b)treatment for 48 weeks.Results:Thirty-three(41.3%)cases were sustained response(SR),and 47(58.7%)cases were non-sustained response(NSR) in 80 cases of CHB patients with Peg-IFN-α-2a/2b treatment.There was no statistic difference between SR group and NSR group on the frequency distribution of C and T allels of IFN-α/β-408(P0.05).However,the rate(65%,13/20)of sustained responsiveness to Peg-IFN-α-2a/2b treatment in 20 cases of CHB patients group with IFN-α/β-408 CT genotype was significantly higher than that(29.5%,13/44) in 44 cases of CHB patients group with IFN-α/β-408 CC genotype(P0.05).Conclusion:Patients with CT genotype at IFN-α/β receptor-1 promoter-408 site might respond well to Peg-IFN treatment.