Abstract
This prospective study investigated the relationship between 2 inosine triphosphatase (ITPA) polymorphisms (rs7270101 and rs1127354) and the efficacy of ribavirin-based antiviral therapy in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected Chinese patients.A total of 906 patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C receiving pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin combination therapy between January 2011 and January 2014 from 5 hepatitis centers in Northeast China were enrolled. The patients were divided into genotype 1 and non-genotype 1 groups according to the genotype of infected HCV. ITPA single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping was performed for all patients. Ribavirin-induced hemolytic anemia and virological response (VR) were monitored during treatment and follow-up. Multivariate regression analysis was used to analyze the predictors for sustained virological response (SVR).IPTA rs7270101 variants were not detected. IPTA rs1127354 variants were detected and showed no difference between the genotype 1 and non-genotype 1 groups. IPTA rs1127354 genotype CC was related to a higher incidence of ribavirin-induced hemolytic anemia. For patients who received >80% of the planned ribavirin dose, rs1127354 variants and related ITPase were related to better SVR. Multivariate analysis showed that IPTA rs1127354 non-genotype CC, HCV genotype, a baseline HCV RNA level <4 × 10 IU/mL, IL-28B rs12979860 genotype CC, and low liver fibrosis were independent predictors for SVR during the combination therapy.IPTA rs1127354 variants and related ITPase were not only related with ribavirin-induced hemolytic anemia but also directly affected the SVR to PEG-IFN plus ribavirin combination therapy in Chinese HCV-infected patients.