title: Interferon in the management of chronic hepatitis B.
abstract: Many drugs have been used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, but with the exception of interferon, none have proved to be effective. Several studies have found that a sustained loss of viral replication occurs in approximately 40% of patients who started with a 16-week course of recombinant interferon alfa-2b given in a dose of 5 million units daily or 10 million units three times weekly. Moreover, disappearance of hepatitis B surface antigen in serum has been observed in 10-15% of treated patients. Based on these results, the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of this form of interferon in chronic hepatitis B in July 1992. This article reviews the importance of chronic hepatitis B as a health problem as well as the mechanisms of action, benefits, and adverse effects associated with interferon. Particular emphasis is given to the safety and efficacy data for recombinant interferon alfa-2b.
authors: Gastroenterology Section, Saint Louis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Missouri 63106.
authors: R P
authors: RP
authors: Perrillo
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012074:Remission Induction
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011241:Prednisone