Treatment of chronic delta infection with recombinant human interferon alpha 2c at high doses.
Superinfection by hepatitis delta virus (HDV) in hepatitis B virus chronic carriers is normally associated with a progressive liver injury. For this reason, the aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy of recombinant interferon alpha (rIFN-alpha) treatment of chronic delta hepatitis, by giving high doses of rIFN-alpha 2c during a prolonged period. A total of 20 HBsAg, anti-HD carriers with a chronic active hepatitis were randomly allocated in two groups: (I) n = 10, control and (II) n = 10, treated with 10 MU/m2 body surface of rIFN-alpha, twice weekly, intramuscularly (im) during 6 months. Basally, all patients presented HDAg in the liver and serum IgM anti-HD. Serum HDV-RNA was positive in 8 and 7 patients from groups I and II, respectively. The interferon therapy was well tolerated and all patients finished the treatment period. During the first 6 months, a decrease in ALT levels among treated patients (255 +/- 98 vs. 193 +/- 117) was observed. In addition, a transient drop in HDV-RNA levels was also observed. No changes in anti-HD titer, IgM anti-HD and HBsAg concentration were detected. At the end of the follow-up period (15 months) two treated patients had lost IgM anti-HD. In addition, another two patients were HDV-RNA negative. In conclusion, no permanent antiviral effects of rIFN-alpha 2c in chronic delta hepatitis, using this schedule, was achieved.
Porres
J C
JC
Department of Gastroenterology, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain.
Carreño
V
V
Bartolomé
J
J
Moreno
A
A
Galiana
F
F
Quiroga
J A
JA
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D002353:Carrier State; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications; D003699:Hepatitis D / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013997:Time Factors
D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins