Thyrotropin receptor antibodies following treatment with recombinant alpha-interferon in patients with hepatitis.
We measured thyrotropin receptor antibodies in serum obtained from 2 groups of patients participating in clinical trials of recombinant interferon-alpha 2b for viral hepatitis. Group I: Patients with hepatitis B (N = 8), received interferon 5 x 10(6) units thrice weekly for 4 months. Group II: Patients with non-A, non-B hepatitis (N = 16) were randomized to receive interferon in a dose of either 0.25 x 10(6) or 3 x 10(6) U thrice weekly for 6 months and then crossed over to receive the other dosage schedule for a further 6 months. None of the patients developed thyrotoxicosis. Thyrotropin receptor antibody activity was detectable within the "normal range" (less than 10 U/l) in 6 patients prior to treatment. In Group I, thyrotropin receptor antibodies became detectable in 6 patients on treatment, in 4 of whom it was 10 U/l. In Group II, thyrotropin receptor antibody activity was unchanged on low-dose interferon, but on the higher dose became detectable in 9 patients, in 7 of whom it was greater than 10 U/l. We conclude that treatment with interferon is associated with the development of thyrotropin receptor antibodies in a large proportion of patients. It is possible that in some patients treated with higher doses of interferon the increase in thyrotropin receptor antibody activity may be sufficient to induce hyperthyroidism.
Fonseca
V
V
Royal Free Hospital, London, UK.
Thomas
M
M
Dusheiko
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000209:etiology; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D011989:Receptors, Thyrotropin / Q000276:immunology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013997:Time Factors
D000906:Antibodies; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011989:Receptors, Thyrotropin; D011994:Recombinant Proteins