Genetic polymorphisms in SPP1 gene as a marker predicting the efficacy of interferon-based therapy in hepatitis C Egyptian patients

Abstract

It became clear long ago that HCV infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease & is a global health problem, so the annual mortality rate as a result remains high. In Egypt the infection with HCV genotype 4 is the predominant type, where 19% of the population infected with this type, and is one of the top five causes of death, and despite the significant evolution in the treatment technique, the responding to the treatment is still disputed. Genetic variations have long been sought to explain the differences in host antiviral responses, and it is now well established that host genetic factors play a role in the response to IFN-based therapy in HCV infection but these factors that influence IFN responsiveness in HCV-infected patients have not been fully explored. Several lines of evidence suggested that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter of osteopontin (OPN) gene (secreted phosphoprotein 1, SPP1) appear to be risk factors for hepatitis activity and sustained virological response (SVR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Purpose

We explored whether SNPs in the SPP1 promoter are associated with the response to PEG-INF plus RBV combined therapy in Egyptians patients with chronic HCV infection to identify more accurately the subset of non-SVR patients who may be candidates for intensive treatment in order to improve SVR rates.

Patients and methods

This study included 100 patients infected with HCV genotype 4 and is subjected to the following investigations:  Serum HCV antibody (anti-HCV) was detected using a third-generation enzyme immunoassay (EIA).  Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), total bilirubin, total proteins, and albumin were determined using commercially available kits.