Treatment of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive chronic hepatitis with recombinant leucocyte alpha-A interferon.
A total of 32 individuals with HBsAg-positive and anti-delta-negative chronic hepatitis were treated with recombinant alpha-A interferon in phase I and phase II studies. In 5/32 patients HBsAg could be eliminated and in 19/32 individuals HBeAg became negative including all those who also eliminated HBsAg. Side-effects were tolerable in most patients and were readily reversible upon discontinuation of interferon therapy. In conclusion, treatment of HBsAg-positive chronic hepatitis with interferon seems to be a promising therapeutic approach. Future studies will have to establish the optimal dose, duration of treatment and factors predicting a favourable outcome of the treatment.
D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000628:therapy*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins