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Alpha interferon and lamivudine combination therapy for chronic hepatitis B in children
Author(s) -
SelimoĞlu Mukadder AyŞe,
AydoĞdu Sema,
Ünal Fatih,
ZeytinoĞlu AyŞin,
Yüce Gül,
YaĞci RaŞit Vural
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
pediatrics international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.49
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1442-200X
pISSN - 1328-8067
DOI - 10.1046/j.1442-200x.2002.01589.x
Subject(s) - medicine , lamivudine , gastroenterology , alpha interferon , combination therapy , hepatitis b , alpha (finance) , interferon alfa , chronic hepatitis , immunology , serology , hepatitis b virus , interferon , virus , surgery , antibody , patient satisfaction , construct validity
Background: Lamivudine is a new alternative therapeutic agent for chronic hepatitis B, in which alpha interferon (IFN‐α) monotherapy is not successful enough. Published reports have revealed no satisfactory data on IFN‐α and lamivudine combination therapy in children. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of this combination therapy in children with chronic hepatitis B.Methods: Children with chronic hepatitis B were given either IFN‐α and lamuvidine (group 1, n = 47) or IFN‐α alone (group 2, n = 30). Alpha interferon was administered as 5 million U/m 2 s.c., thrice a week for 6 months and lamivudine 4 mg/kg per day p.o., maximum 100 mg, for 1 year. Clinical examination was performed; blood cell counts and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and amylase were studied at each visit. At the third, sixth and twelfth month, serological markers were determined.Results: End of therapy response was achieved in 19 (40.4%) patients in group 1 and in 14 (46.7%) children in group 2 ( P > 0.05). In group 1, pretreatment serum ALT and hepatic activity index (HAI) were statistically higher in children who responded to therapy ( P < 0.005). In group 2, mean serum ALT was higher and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA was lower in responders. Sustained response rate was 40.4 versus 43.3% in two groups.Conclusion: The response rate of IFN‐α and lamivudine combination therapy in children with chronic hepatitis B was similar to that of IFN‐α monotherapy. High ALT level and HAI, rather than low HBV‐DNA level were found to be important predictors of response.