A randomized, controlled trial of human lymphoblastoid interferon in patients with compensated type C cirrhosis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of human lymphoblastoid interferon (L-IFN) in the treatment of compensated type C cirrhosis, 30 patients were assigned randomly to three groups, consisting of 10 patients each, who were treated as follows.


METHODS
The 1- and 3-megaunit (MU) groups received 1 or 3 MU of L-IFN, respectively, daily for 2 wk, and three times weekly for 24 wk thereafter. The control group received no treatment. All of the patients had positive C100-3 hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) titers.


RESULTS
The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels decreased 26 wk after L-IFN treatment was began, in both treatment groups. In the 3-MU group, the ALT levels became normal [complete response (CR)] in 40%, improved to less than twice the upper limit of the normal value [partial response (PR)] in 10%, and remained unchanged [no change (NC)] in 50%. In the 1-MU group, a PR occurred in 30%. There was NC in 70%, and NC occurred in the control group. Twenty-four weeks after stopping L-IFN, the CR and NC rates in the 3-MU group were 10% and 90%, respectively, and NC was observed in all of the 1-MU and control patients. 2',5'-Oligoadenylate synthetase activities increased in both treatment groups (p < 0.05), but not in the control group. The anti-HCV titers decreased in the 3-MU group (p < 0.05), but not in the 1-MU and control groups. Higher doses of L-IFN were more effective. No serious side effects occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that IFN administration can be effective and safe in patients with compensated type C cirrhosis, and that it would be worthwhile to evaluate IFN therapy for cirrhotic patients further.
Saito
T
T
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Japan.
Shinzawa
H
H
Kuboki
M
M
Ishibashi
M
M
Toda
H
H
Okuyama
Y
Y
Nakamura
T
T
Yamada
N
N
Wakabayashi
H
H
Togashi
H
H
D015088:2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase / Q000097:blood; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D015088:2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase