Is there an alternative to alpha-interferon in chronic hepatitis B?
At present immune-based therapies are not an alternative to alpha-interferon in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Patients who do not respond to alpha-interferon should probably be followed without re-treatment. Re-treatment using a short course of prednisone before alpha-interferon deserves further study. Future investigation of immune-based therapies should be done in the context of available antiviral therapies. Alternatives need to be propounded and tested, especially alternatives that cause us to question assumptions and to rethink our current beliefs about chronic HBV immunopathogenesis.
de Moura
M C
MC
Department of Medicine II, Medical School and Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon, Portugal.
Velosa
J
J
Pinto
H C
HC
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005544:Forecasting; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D011241:Prednisone