High dosage alpha-interferon for treatment of children and young adults with chronic hepatitis C disease.
BACKGROUND
There are limited data on the use of high interferon (IFN) dosage for treatment of children and young adults with hepatitis C virus infection and in those affected by thalassemia major (TM).


OBJECTIVE
To assess the response of children and young adults with chronic hepatitis C disease, including those affected by TM, to high dose natural alpha-interferon (IFN-alpha). To evaluate the effect of iron overload in response to high dose IFN-alpha in young chronic hepatitis C virus thalassemia patients.


METHODS
We conducted a therapeutic trial of natural IFN-alpha, using 10 million units/m2 three times a week for 6 months in 14 chronic hepatitis C patients ages 5 to 28 years; 7 also had TM. The follow-up period lasted 12 months.


RESULTS
Ten patients (73%) showed normal or nearly normal alanine aminotransferase values at the end of follow-up (biochemical response), but only five (35%) were negative for serum hepatitis C virus-RNA (complete responders). Four of the patients (57%) with TM were sustained complete responders. No correlation was found between the initial serum concentration of ferritin and response to IFN therapy. Patients infected with genotype 1b showed a poor response although high dose of natural IFN was used.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that IFN-alpha can be used in children and young patients with chronic hepatitis C disease as well as in those affected by TM. Treatment with high dosage natural IFN-alpha in children and young adults with hepatitis C infection does not appear to be more effective than dosages previously used.
Marcellini
M
M
Pediatric Hospital Bambin Gesù, Rome, Italy.
Kondili
L A
LA
Comparcola
D
D
Spada
E
E
Sartorelli
M R
MR
Palumbo
M
M
Rapicetta
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male
D001323:Autoantibodies; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D005293:Ferritins