title: Response related factors in recombinant interferon alfa-2b treatment of chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: In an analysis of the clinical and laboratory variables that can influence the response to interferon alfa-2b treatment, 48 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection received interferon 5 million units (MU) subcutaneously three times weekly for eight weeks followed by 3 MU three times weekly for seven months. Response related factors on univariate analysis were found to be age > 40 years, non-parenteral source of infection, pretreatment positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA), cirrhosis, and high serum iron, ferritin, gamma glutamyl transferase, and IgM. An independent predictive value (multivariate analysis) was also found for cirrhosis, ANA, serum iron, and ferritin. A baseline aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio of 0.5 and a striking increase during interferon treatment were associated with a complete response.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Unit, Hospital Central de Asturias, School of Medicine, Oviedo, Spain.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pérez
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pravia
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Linares
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Lombraña
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Suárez
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Riestra
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Navascués
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rodrigo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012074:Remission Induction
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase