title: Treatment of chronic hepatitis.
abstract: Chronic hepatitis is an etiologically diverse syndrome. The approach to treatment depends on the cause of the disease. The efficacy of immunosuppressive treatment of chronic autoimmune hepatitis has long been established, and most patients with this disease can be treated successfully with prednisone and azathioprine. Interferon therapy has revolutionized the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis. Although the response in chronic hepatitis delta is disappointing, hepatitis C is often controlled, and certain patients with chronic hepatitis B may actually be cured of the disease. Future studies will seek to optimize the therapeutic effects of interferon in these viral diseases. Certainly, studies with other antiviral agents and biologic response modifiers are forthcoming. We have entered a new era in the treatment of chronic liver disease. It is reasonable to hope and expect that progress will continue and that most forms of chronic viral hepatitis will become curable within the next several years.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lambiase
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000188:drug therapy; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy; D003699:Hepatitis D / Q000188:drug therapy; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007372:Interferons