Lymphoblastoid and recombinant alpha-A interferon therapy of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. The Royal Free Hospital experience.
Lymphoblastoid interferon (Wellferon), a combination of at least 8 alpha-interferons, has been shown to be effective therapy in male chronic carriers of HBV infection, resulting in the loss of HBeAg and HBV-DNA in 50% of those treated. However, 0/8 women (5 Chinese) treated in this trial responded to treatment. Patients with higher ASTs, CAH on biopsy and a history of acute hepatitis are more likely to respond to treatment. Recombinant alpha-A interferon has not been as successful in our particular group of patients. However, this may be explained by the observation that most of these patients are asymptomatic, homosexuals and have lower transaminases, less histological inflammation and a higher percentage of HTLV-III antibody positivity than the Wellferon group. In the HTLV-III-negative group of HBV carriers, the response to recombinant alpha-A interferon is similar to that achieved with lymphoblastoid interferon.
Thomas
H C
HC
Scully
L J
LJ
McDonald
J A
JA
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins