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Efficacy of interferon‐α treatment in Japanese children with chronic hepatitis C
Author(s) -
NAKASHIMA EISUKE,
FUJISAWA TAKUJI,
KIMURA AKIHIKO,
KAGE MASAYOSHI,
YAMATO YASUHIKO,
MAEDA KOHJI,
KUMAGAI MASAMI,
USHIJIMA KOSUKE,
YAMASHITA YASUHIRO,
MATSUISHI TOYOJIRO
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1746.2003.03010.x
Subject(s) - medicine , alpha interferon , interferon , titer , gastroenterology , interferon alfa , chronic hepatitis , hepatitis c virus , ribavirin , hepatitis c , genotype , viral disease , hepatitis , immunology , virus , virology , gene , biology , biochemistry
Background: We investigated the efficacy of natural interferon (IFN)‐α treatment in 34 Japanese children with chronic hepatitis C. Methods: Thirty‐four children completed 6 months of therapy with natural IFN‐α and were followed for 12 months or longer. We examined the serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA titer and liver histology before, during, and after IFN treatment. Results: At 6 months after the cessation of IFN‐α treatment, 16 patients (47%) had normal serum alanine aminotransferase concentration and no detectable serum HCV RNA. There were no major side‐effects, excluding some influenza‐like symptoms during the IFN‐α treatment. Most genotype 2a patients had a complete response (80%). Moreover, patients who had a low HCV RNA titer (<10 2 copies/mL) after 1 month of IFN‐α treatment became complete responders at 6 months after the cessation of treatment. Histological improvement was observed in almost all patients after IFN‐α treatment. Conclusion: Interferon‐α treatment is safe and effective for children with chronic hepatitis C and has no serious side‐effects. A HCV RNA concentration of <10 2 copies/mL after 1 month of IFN‐α treatment and genotype 2a may be useful predictors of long‐term IFN efficacy. © 2003 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd