Anti-alpha interferon antibodies after alpha interferon treatment in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.
Thirty-five patients with chronic viral hepatitis (B, D or non A, non B), treated with alpha interferon were evaluated by a highly sensitive enzyme immunoassay for the presence of alpha interferon neutralizing antibodies before and after three months of treatment. Although 4 subjects (11.4%) became immunized against alpha interferon, treatment with the drug was successful in inhibiting viral replication in 3 of them. We conclude that the appearance of anti alpha interferon antibodies does not affect the effectiveness of the drug, and is therefore not worth monitoring.
Craxi
A
A
Cattedra di Gastroenterologia, Clinica Medica R, University of Palermo.
Di Marco
V
V
Volpes
R
R
Palazzo
U
U
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D000906:Antibodies; D007370:Interferon Type I; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins