Effects of HCV genotypes and HLA-DRB alleles on the response of chronic hepatitis C patients to interferon alpha and libavilin / 中华肝脏病杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To study the effects of HCV genotypes and HLA-DRB alleles on the response of chronic hepatitis C patients to interferon alpha and libavilin.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Genotypes of HCV in 113 patients with HCV infection treated with interferon alpha and libavilin were investigated. Gene chips were used to analyze the frequency of HLA-DRB alleles in 25 patients of them. The response to interferon alpha and libavilin therapy were discussed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The response rates in the four HCV types were different, HCV-IV/2b the highest (57.78%), HCV-I/1a and -III/2a lower (46.15% and 47.62%), and HCV-II/1b the lowest (11.76%). The response rate to IFN and libavilin therapy in patients with DRB1*07 positive was higher, while in patients with DRB1*04 positive was lower. Sex, HCV genotypes and HLA-DRB alleles were all related to the response. Female, patients with HCV-IV/2b and HLA-DRB1*07 presented almost complete response, but male, patients with HCV-II/1b and HLA-DRB1*04 usually appeared non-response. DRB1*07 allele and HCV-IV/2b were the closest factors related to the response.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Not only virus but also host playes an important role in the curative effect of anti-virus therapy. It is necessary to view from the angle of host, adjusting the host's immune status to accelerate the clearance of HCV.</p>