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Pilot study of recombinant human interleukin 2 for chronic type B hepatitis
Author(s) -
Kakumu Shinichi,
Fuji Akihiko,
Yoshioka Kentaro,
Tahara Hirofumi,
Ohtani Yoshiyuki,
Hirofuji Hideo,
Murase Kenichi,
Aoi Tsuneto
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.488
H-Index - 361
eISSN - 1527-3350
pISSN - 0270-9139
DOI - 10.1002/hep.1840080309
Subject(s) - medicine , chills , hbeag , gastroenterology , immunology , recombinant dna , hepatitis b , interleukin , hepatitis b virus , cytokine , virus , hbsag , biology , biochemistry , gene
Recombinant human interleukin 2 was administered to 10 patients with chronic type B hepatitis as a part of a pilot study to evaluate its antiviral activity. Patients received 1 to 3 x 10 5 units per day of interleukin 2 for 21 to 28 days, and all completed the treatment schedule. During therapy, serum values of DNA polymerase decreased in 6 and became negative in four patients. However, when therapy was discontinued, DNA polymerase levels increased to pretreatment levels in most cases. Serum HBeAg levels did not change during treatment. Serum aminotransferase levels transiently increased in 6 of the 10 patients during therapy; but once therapy was stopped, levels fell markedly. Side effects of interleukin 2 therapy included fever, chills, anorexia and fatigue. After 1 year of follow‐up, three treated patients had lost HBeAg and had marked improvement in aminotransferase levels. These serologic and biochemical improvements occurred 1.5 to 11 months after therapy was stopped. Whether a 3‐ to 4‐ week course of interleukin 2 therapy leads to an increased rate of seroconver‐sion from HBeAg to antibody in chronic type B hepatitis deserves further evaluation in prospectively randomized, controlled trials.