The ability of fish oil to decrease TNF-alpha production is influenced by inherent TNF-alpha production and by polymorphisms in the TNF-alpha and lymphotoxin alpha genes.

In COPD patients, who are characterized by an elevated systemic inflammatory response, cachexia is not discriminatory for the extent of increase in inflammatory status. This study, however, indicates a potential influence of genetic predisposition on the cachexia process.

While other genetic factors may be important, results from this study indicate that HLA class II genetic polymorphism may play a role in determining susceptibility to peanut allergy.