title: Low dose interferon alfa-2b for chronic hepatitis B in Asian countries.
abstract: In a study of low dose interferon alfa-2b in 587 patients expected to show a good response to treatment, 76-87% patients in different countries had alanine amino-transferase activities returned to normal after four months' treatment, 49-72% were negative for hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA, 51-66% were negative for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), and 44-62% were anti-HBe positive. These effects were maintained after nine to 12 months' follow up. Side effects were mild, but led to discontinuation of treatment in 12 patients.
authors.affiliation: Essex Asia Ltd, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mauracher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001208:Asia / Q000208:ethnology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000628:therapy*; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins