IL-6 Gene Polymorphism Predicts PEGylated IFN-α Treatment Response in Hepatitis B Surface Antigen-Positive Chronic Hepatitis B Patients

Abstract

Background: Genetic polymorphism can affect the response to antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Objective: The study examined the genetic association of the IL-6 rs1800796 polymorphism with PEGylated IFN-α (PegIFN-α) treatment response in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive CHB patients. Methods: Direct sequencing was done for the genotyping of the rs1800796 polymorphism in the serum of CHB patients. Results: More patients with combined response (n = 95) carried IL-6 rs1800796 GC genotypes, while CC genotype carriers possessed reduced HBeAg seroconversion rate and high values of hepatitis B virus DNA. Baseline HBsAg and HBeAg and IL-6 rs1800796 CC genotype were independently related to PegIFN-α treatment response. Conclusion: Detection of the IL-6 rs1800796 genotype in CHB patients may have potential guiding significance for PegIFN-α response.

Keywords: :

• chronic hepatitis B
• IL-6 rs1800796 polymorphism
• PegIFN-α response

Author contributions

X Wang and X Gu designed the research study. X Wang, X Gu and F Liu performed the research. X Wang and X Gu analyzed the data. X Wang and X Gu wrote the manuscript. F Liu contributed to editorial changes in the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Financial disclosure

The authors have no financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Competing interests disclosure

The authors have no competing interests or relevant affiliations with any organization or entity with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Writing disclosure

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Shandong University and followed the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. In addition, informed consent has been obtained from the participants involved.

Availability of data

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.