Influence of promoter region of TNF-α gene polymorphisms on anti-TNF treatment in rheumatoid arthritis: Preliminary report

Purpose:the aim of this study was to explore the association between promotor polymorphisms in tumor necrosis factor α (tnf-α) gene and disease activity,clinical parameters and response to different treatments in rheumatoid arthritis patients. materials and methods:we analyzed single nucleotide polymorphisms (-308,-238 and -857) in tnf-α gene in 65 patients with active ra who were treated with dmard or anti-tnf therapy and in 70 control ones who had no rheumatologic problems.tnf-α genotyping were performed by the pcr- rflp method.clinical responses were compared by using disease activity score,vas and health assessment questionnaire at baseline and after 6 months of treatment. results:a significant positive association was observed at tnf-857 cc genotype in ra patients (p=0.046). at the six months the mean vas,haq and das 28 improvement was not significant among groups.improvement in das score was significantly better in -308 gg genotype than -308 ag genotype in anti-tnf subgroup. conclusion:our results suggest that tnf-857 cc genotype may be associated with susceptibility to disease and polymorphism in tnf-308 genotype may have an effect in response to therapy.further studies should be warranted to establish tnf-α polymorphisms and susceptibility and response to treatment inrheumatoid arthritis patients.