title: Leucocyte interferon-alpha retreatment for chronic hepatitis C patients previously intolerant to other interferons.
abstract: The activity and tolerability of a retreatment cycle with leucocyte interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) (6 million units (MU) three times weekly for 12 months) was evaluated in a group of 22 hepatitis C patients who had been intolerant to a previous course of lymphoblastoid IFN-alpha. Seven patients (31%) discontinued the new therapy owing to either a lack of response (six patients) or to severe leucopenia (one patient). Fifteen patients (68%) completed the 12-month treatment: all had a biochemical response and 10 (45%) also had disappearance of serum HCV RNA (complete response). Mild adverse reactions (fever, headaches and diarrhoea) were seen in these patients during retreatment. After 12 months of follow-up, 11 patients (50%) still maintained the biochemical response (long-term response); seven of these patients (32%) were also negative for serum HCV RNA. Biochemical and complete responses, at the end of both treatment and follow-up, were similar to those seen with lymphoblastoid IFN-alpha. The full dose of leucocyte IFN-alpha, when used in patients previously intolerant to the same dosage of lymphoblastoid IFN-alpha, was better tolerated: only one of the 15 patients who completed the 12-month treatment had a severe adverse event leading to withdrawal vs 22 of 68 patients treated with lymphoblastoid IFN-alpha. Furthermore, there were no manifestations of serological or clinical autoimmunity caused by leucocyte IFN-alpha, even in patients with autoantibodies associated with previous IFN therapy.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Institute, University of Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cacopardo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Benanti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brancati
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nunnari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007372:Interferons