Long-term low dose interferon alpha-2b in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in multi-ethnic patients in Hawaii.
The antiviral and immunomodulatory effects of interferon were assessed in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in multi-ethnic patients to prevent viral replication and chronic liver damage. Five million units of recombinant interferon alpha-2b were administered three times a week for 48 weeks to a group of 18 chronic active hepatitis B patients. A complete response was defined as seroconversion to anti-HBe and/or loss of HBe antigen. Seroconversion to anti-HBe in 5 of 12 (42%) chronic active hepatitis B patients occurred after 48 weeks of therapy. HBV-DNA decreased to undetectable levels in 8 of 12 (67%) patients. This chronic low-dose interferon administration regimen demonstrated responses comparable to other studies.
Ching
N
N
Department of Surgery, John A Burns School of Medicine, St. Francis Medical Center University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817, USA.
Lumeng
J
J
Pang
R
R
Pang
G
G
Or
F W
FW
Ching
N
N
Ching
C
C
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy*; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D015415:Biomarkers; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins