title: [Interferon alfa in treatment of chronic hepatitis B in children with leukemias and lymphomas].
abstract: The course of the hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) in the majority of children with cancer who have undergone intensive chemotherapy is characterized by scanty symptoms and often leads to chronic hepatitis and prolonged carrier state. Twenty three children with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) were treated with interferon alfa after the completion of chemotherapy of leukemias and lymphomas. In the majority of cases a disproportion between symptomless clinical course of the hepatitis B virus and the rate of its active replication was observed. Presence of HBsAg and high activity of polymerase DNA HBV (pDNA) were found in all children. In the course of a 6-month treatment with interferon in a dose of 3 mil IU/m2 of the body surface a gradual decrease of pDNA activity was observed. A statistically significant difference of mean values of pDNA before and right after the treatment was determined (p < 0.05). Tests performed 3 months after the completion of the therapy showed a repeated increase of pDNA activity. Boundary values of pDNA were observed in 5 children. Complete elimination of HBs and HBe antigens has not been achieved in any of the children. While analyzing the obtained results it has to be taken into consideration that there were numerous unfavourable prognostic factors determined in the studied group of children such as: coexisting malignant disease, undergone intensive chemotherapy, long period which has passed from the moment of HBV infection until the administration of the treatment with interferon, high activity of pDNA, scanty symptoms of inflammation process. Coexisting HCV infection in 12 children, could also have a undesirable effect upon the treatment results.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Katedry i Kliniki Pediatrii, Hematologii i Onkologii AM, Warszawie.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rokicka-Milewska
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Derulska
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pawelec
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Loch
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kacperska
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Seyfriedowa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007938:Leukemia / Q000150:complications*; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D016898:Interferon-alpha
vernacular_title: Interferon alfa w leczeniu przewlekłego zapalenia watroby typu B u dzieci choryech na białaczki i chłoniaki.