Molecular assessment of vitamin D receptor polymorphism as a valid predictor to the response of interferon/ribavirin-based therapy in Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C

Objective: The aim of this study was to find an association between serum concentration of vitamin D and vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms to achieve a sustained virological response (SVR). Methods: We conducted a case-control study in which 250 participants were recruited and divided into three groups (100 chronic hepatitis C [CHC] patients who achieved SVR, 100 CHC patients who did not achieve SVR and 50 apparently healthy individuals as controls). Blood samples were collected to measure serum vitamin D concentration, and four VDR polymorphisms (FokI, ApaI, TaqI, and BsmI) were detected using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: Non-responders were found to have significantly low vitamin D concentration compared with responders and control groups. Concerning VDR polymorphisms, both FokI and TaqI polymorphisms were associated with successful treatment. Conclusion: Vitamin D concentration, FokI, and TaqI may be considered as the predictors for the response of CHC patients to a combination therapy of pegylated interferon and ribavirin.