Impact of ITPA Gene Polymorphisms on the Risk of Ribavirin-Induced Haemolytic Anaemia using Interferon-Free Antivirals for Chronic Hepatitis C. Issue 7 (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Esposito, Isabella; Benítez-Gutiérrez, Laura; Treviño, Ana; Arias, Ana; Citores, Maria Jesus; Requena, Silvia; Soriano, Vicente; Cuervas-Mons, Valentín; De Mendoza, Carmen
• Is Part Of: Antiviral therapy. Volume 22:Issue 7(2017)
• Page Start: 571
• Page End: 575
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: Antiviral agents -- Periodicals; Antiviral Agents -- therapeutic use; Virus Diseases -- therapy; Viruses -- drug effects; Antiviral agents; Periodical; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.9106
• DOI: 10.3851/IMP3138
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-6535

Abstract

Background: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the ITPA gene are associated with haemolytic anaemia in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with pegylated interferon-ribavirin (RBV). Information in patients treated with interferon-free, direct-acting antivirals (DAA) is scarce. Methods: Median haemoglobin (Hb) levels were compared at baseline and at week 4, when ribavirin concentration achieves steady state, in all consecutive chronic hepatitis C patients treated with oral DAA plus RBV at our clinic. Results: Median Hb drop in 55 patients was greater in rs1127354-CC than -CA/AA (1.8 versus 0.7 g/dl; P =0.029), and in rs6051702-AA than -AC/CC carriers (2.2 versus 1.1 g/dl; P =0.016). Eleven (20%) patients experienced severe anaemia, defined as Hb drop >3 g/dl or to <10 g/dl. All of them were rs6051702-AA. Conclusions: Baseline testing of rs6051702 may identify the subset of patients at greatest risk for RBV-induced anaemia using interferon-free hepatitis C therapies.