Inosine triphosphate pyrophosphatase (ITPA) gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs1127354 and rs7270101, may cause a functional impairment in ITPase enzyme, resulting anemia protection in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection undergoing ribavirin (RBV)-dependent regimens.
In conclusion, non-CC at rs1127354 without involvement of rs7270101 is strongly associated with protection from ribavirin-induced anemia, however, ITPA genotype is not associated with SVR.
The role of rs1127354/rs7270101 alleles at the inosine triphosphatase (ITPA) gene on ribavirin-induced anemia was assessed in 74 patients with hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus coinfection.
The ITPA variants were strongly and independently associated with protection from week 4 anemia (P = 10(-6) for rs1127354 and P = 10(-7) for rs7270101).