Can tumor necrosis factor receptor II gene 676T>G polymorphism predict the response grading to anti-TNFα therapy in rheumatoid arthritis?

In this study we analyzed whether the polymorphisms 676T>G in the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) II gene and -308G>A in the TNFα promoter gene may influence the response grading to anti-TNFα therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. We enrolled and genotyped 105 RA patients treated with etanercept (n=55), infliximab (n=40) and adalimumab (n=10) for one year. The clinical response was evaluated according to the ACR criteria every 3 months. Patients with TNFRII 676TG genotype was significantly associated with lower ACR response compared to 676TT genotype, at 3 (OR 3.78 95%CI 1.07-13.31) and 12 months (OR 4.30 95%CI 1.16-15.99) of treatment. No significant association between TNFα -308G>A polymorphism and the clinical response was found. TNFRII 676TG genotype is associated with a lower response to anti-TNFα therapy, independently from the specific agent used. This polymorphism could become a useful genetic marker for predicting the different response grading to anti-TNFα therapy.