Association of vitamin D pathway SNPs and clinical response to interferon in a cohort of HBeAg-negative patients

Vitamin D modulates biological processes; an influence of vitamin D levels and genetic variants was identified concerning hepatitis B virus infection. We evaluated the role of some SNPs of vitamin D pathway genes in some clinical features of hepatitis B affected patients treated with pegylated interferon. We investigated SNPs in , , and genes, through real-time PCR. ApaI SNP was associated to viral load and HBsAg presence at different timings. In logistic regression analyses, ApaI AA genotype predicted baseline viral load >6 Log IU/ml (marker of nonresponse), and both virological and biochemical responses. Pharmacogenetic data could help physicians in the prediction of patients with higher probability to achieve a good response.