RASSF1A and p16 promoter methylation and treatment response in chronic hepatitis C genotype 1b patients treated with pegylated interferon/ribavirin

Prevention of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and its complications is based on antiviral therapy early detection reliable molecular markers in persons under risk. We investigated whether the methylation status RASSF1A p16 genes, alone or combination with host viral factors, affects response to pegylated interferon/ribavirin (PEG-IFN/RBV). Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) was used determine target promoter sequences circulating-free DNA from peripheral blood 49 patients CHC genotype 1b. The examined genes did not affect therapy. However, simultaneous presence either CC IL28B significantly related a sustained virologic (P=0.009 P=0.032, respectively). After Bonferroni correction, only result concerning gene remained significant (P<0.0125). Methylation associated (P=0.024) higher load (?400 000 IU/mL, P=0.009). Our results suggest that combined analysis rs12979860 polymorphism could potentially help prediction 1b patients.