IL-10 rs1800896 polymorphism predicts biochemical remission in IBD patients undergoing biologic therapy

Background. Genetic factors, including single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), may modulate disease course and therapeutic efficacy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Aim. We investigated the association between four SNPs in cytokine genes and clinical phenotype as well as the response to molecular-targeted drugs in patients with IBD. Materials and Methods. A total of 197 IBD patients (142 Crohn's disease [CD], 55 ulcerative colitis [UC]) undergoing targeted treatment were enrolled. The SNPs analyzed were TNF-alpha rs1800629 (-308 G>A), TGF-beta rs1800471 (codon 10 C>T), IL-6 rs1800795 (-174 G>C), and IL-10 rs1800896 (-1082 G>A). Biochemical response at 12 months (T12) was defined as CRP <5.0 mg/L and fecal calprotectin <250 microg/g at T12, in the absence of ongoing corticosteroid therapy. Results. The IL-6 rs1800795 C allele was significantly associated with a younger age at diagnosis (p=0.049), while the TNF-alpha rs1800629 A allele was more frequently observed in patients with CD than UC (p=0.036). Among 134 patients included in the per-protocol analysis, 41.0% achieved biochemical remission at T12. The IL-10 rs1800896 variant allele was associated with remission (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.03-4.44; p=0.041), and the association remained significant in multivariable analysis (adjusted OR 4.15, 95% CI 1.49-11.56; p=0.007). Conclusions. Genotyping of cytokine-related SNPs may help identify patients with distinct disease phenotypes and support personalized treatment strategies in IBD.