The TNF-α -308 Promoter Gene Polymorphism and Chronic HBV Infection

Background and Aims . TNF- α -308 allele promoter polymorphism has been known to be a potential prognostic factor in patients with chronic HBV infection. We tried to determine how TNF- α -308 allele promoter polymorphism would affect the prognosis in patients with chronic HBV infection. Methods . We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and reference lists of relevant review articles related to the association between “TNF- α G-308A promoter polymorphism” with “chronic HBV infection”. We only focused on searching -308 locus in published studies. We reviewed 21 original articles about TNF- α -308 allele polymorphism and its effect on prognosis in patients with chronic HBV infection and discussed the results. Results . conflicting results were observed. The results were divided into 3 groups including neutral, negative, and positive associations between TNF- α -308 allele polymorphism and prognosis in patients with chronic HBV infection. We summarized the primary data as a table. Conclusions . Authors concluded that although there is an upward trend in evidence to claim that there is a positive relation between TNF- α G-308A promoter polymorphisms and resolution of chronic HBV infection, due to many biases and limitations observed in reviewed studies, an organized well-designed study is needed for clarifying the real association.