title: [Interferon and chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis: status of the problem].
abstract: Alpha interferon is the only effective therapy in patients with chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis. Alpha interferon administration during 6 months, in a dosage of 3 millions units, three times per week, induces a complete response defined by the normalisation of transaminases in about 50% of the patients. The normalisation of transaminases is correlated to an improvement of liver histologic activity. A relapse, with the re-increase of transaminases, is often observed after withdrawal of interferon. One year after therapy, less than 20% of the patients treated have a sustained complete response defined by persistently normal transaminases. Studies are in progress about the efficacy of higher dosage or longer duration of alpha interferon administration.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Hépatologie, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marcellin
mesh_terms: D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000628:therapy*; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D012008:Recurrence; D000637:Transaminases / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D016898:Interferon-alpha; D000637:Transaminases
vernacular_title: Interféron et hépatite chronique non-A, non-B: état de la question.