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Comparative study of three doses of interferon‐α2a in chronic active hepatitis B
Author(s) -
Thomas H. C.,
Lok A. S. F.,
Carreño V.,
Farrell G.,
Tanno H.,
Perez V.,
Dusheiko G. M.,
Cooksley G.,
Ryff J.C.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of viral hepatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1365-2893
pISSN - 1352-0504
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2893.1994.tb00113.x
Subject(s) - medicine , seroconversion , hbeag , gastroenterology , interferon , hepatitis , hepatitis b , immunology , chronic hepatitis , hepatitis b virus , antibody , virus , hbsag
SUMMARY. To determine the efficacy of interferon‐α2a in chronic active hepatitis B, 238 patients were randomly divided, into four groups: three groups received either 2.5 MIU m ‐2 . 5.0 MIUm ‐2 or 10.0 MIU m ‐2 , three times weekly by intramuscular injection for 12–24 weeks: and a control group received no treatment. Patients were followed for up to 12 months after treatment was discontinued. There was a statistically significant difference in response [clearance of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and hepatitis B viral DNA (HBV‐DNA)] between treated and untreated patients (3 7 vs 13%) but no statistically significant difference was seen between treatment groups (33% 34% and 43% for the 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 MIU m ‐2 groups, respectively). A transient rise in transaminases (seroconversion hepatitis) was seen in responders, but levels returned to within the normal range after response to treatment. In patients responding to interferon therapy there was a significant reduction in the severity of the hepatitis. Interferon‐α2a was generally well tolerated with respect to vital signs and laboratory parameters.