Formation of antibodies to factor VIII in patients with hemophilia A who are treated with interferon for chronic hepatitis C.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the risk for development of antibodies to factor VIII (factor VIII inhibitors) during and after interferon therapy in patients with hemophilia A and chronic hepatitis C infection.


METHODS
Patients were divided into two treatment groups and an untreated control group. Test results from the two treatment groups were compared with those from the control group.


METHODS
3 clinical centers in the Netherlands.


METHODS
35 men with hemophilia A who had acquired hepatitis C through the use of plasma-derived clotting factor concentrates.


METHODS
Patients were tested for factor VIII inhibitors before the start of interferon therapy and every 6 months thereafter.


RESULTS
21 patients with hemophilia A received interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis C infection for a mean of 19.5 months (range, 0.5 to 36 months). In 2 patients, inhibitors were detected on one occasion (maximum titer, 1.2 Bethesda units/mL) during interferon therapy. In 3 patients who were known to have had inhibitors before interferon therapy, no anamnestic reaction was seen during treatment. In 3 of 14 untreated controls who were followed for a mean of 28 months (range, 18 to 40 months), inhibitors were detected on one occasion (maximum titer, 2.3 Bethesda units/mL).


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term interferon therapy in patients with hemophilia did not increase the risk for development of factor VIII inhibitors.
Mauser-Bunschoten
E P
EP
Van Creveld Clinic University Hospital Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Damen
M
M
Reesink
H W
HW
Roosendaal
G
G
Chamuleau
R A
RA
van den Berg
H M
HM
D000917:Antibody Formation; D016913:Blood Component Transfusion / Q000009:adverse effects; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000276:immunology*; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands
D005169:Factor VIII; D007372:Interferons