title: [Evaluation of two treatment schedules with different doses of interferon in chronic HBsAg+ anti-HBe+ hepatitis].
abstract: Twenty-three patients with hepatitis B were treated with recombinant interferon-alpha-2a. Twelve patients were given 6 MU three times a week for 6 months (Group A); eleven patients were given 9 MU three times a week for an initial 4-month course and subsequently for a further 3-month course after 6 months of no therapy (group B). Eight patients in the group A (66.7%) and seven patients in the group B became negative for HBV-DNA and normalized their ALT, compared to 31% of controls. Relapses were noticed in 75% of the responders in the group A and in 71.4% of the responders in the group B within 12 months after interferon discontinuation. The Authors are consequently of opinion that it is appropriate to try longer treatments with moderate doses of interferon in order to maintain the response as long as possible.
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Gastroenterologia ed Endoscopia Digestiva, Ospedale Generale Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Facciorusso
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giacobbe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
vernacular_title: Valutazione di due schemi terapeutici di interferone nell'epatite cronica HBsAg+ anti-HBe+.