[beta-Interferon therapy of chronic hepatitis HCV+, 1b genotype].
Various papers reported that chronic viral hepatitis is the principal cause of chronic liver disease, as cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma. Interferon is the only agent known to have a beneficial effect in chronic hepatitis. The response rate has been less than 10 percent in patients with genotype 1b, but in patients with genotype 2 or 3 it has been greater than 40 percent. Aim of our investigation was to study 10 patients suffering from chronic viral hepatitis HCV related, genotype 1b, non responder to interferon-alpha therapy. In these patients we administered beta-interferon at the dose of 6 million units, 3 times a week, for 3 months. A significant reduction of aminotransferase level was reported after 3 months of the start of the therapy. An higher level of beta-interferon plasma rate was found in 3 non responder patients. The interaction of beta-interferon with the immune system was demonstrated with an increase of CD8+ lymphocytes that correlated with decrease of HCVRNA. The treatment with beta-interferon have a beneficial effect in patients with chronic hepatitis HCV related, genotype 1b, no responder to interferon-alpha therapy.
Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e Nefrologia, Università, IRCCS, Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia.
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M
Vezzoli
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Girola
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G
Fossati
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I
Mazzucchelli
D
D
Gritti
A
A
Mazzone
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D016899:Interferon-beta; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase