title: Effects of recombinant alpha interferon on chronic active hepatitis B: preliminary results.
abstract: This paper presents the preliminary results of a study designed to evaluate the effects of alpha interferon in chronic hepatitis B. After six months' treatment with interferon alfa-2b (5 million units (MU), three times weekly) 15 of 25 (60%) patients achieved seroconversion of hepatitis B e antigen, 17 (68%) normalised alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, and 15 (60%) showed a decrease in the inflammatory reaction on liver histology. No seroconversions occurred in the control group (n = 10), and none of the control patients achieved a normal ALT or showed a reduction in the inflammatory reaction. Adverse effects were experienced by most patients who received interferon but none warranted stopping the treatment.
authors.affiliation: Hacettepe University Hospital, School of Medicine, Department of Gastroenterology, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bayraktar
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Uzunalimoglu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arslan
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koseoglu
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kayhan
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Telatar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D000410:Alanine Transaminase