Chonnam Med J.  2001 Mar;37(1):33-38.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of a Dose of 5 Million Unit of Intron A Treatment in Chronic Active Hepatitis B

• Kim HS
• Na HY
• Choi SK
• Rew JS
• Kim SJ

Abstract

Persistent replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an important factor in transformation from chronic hepatitis to liver cirrhosis and hepatocullular carcinoma. To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of interferon in chronic active viral hepatitis B, interferon was administered to patients with histologically proven chronic active hepatitis B. The 40 patients with chronic active hepatitis B received in a dose of 5 million units (5MU) thrice weekly for 24 weeks. We evaluated serologic status (HBsAg, HBeAg, HBV DNA), biochemical test (AST, ALT) and adverse effects in 28 patients for one and half year. Serum AST and ALT were decreased significantly from the second weeks after the interferon injection (p<0.05). Out of 28 patients, normalization of AST and ALT were observed in 5 and 6 patients, respectively, for 12 months after interferon therapy. Out of 28 patients, HBeAg and HBV DNA negativity for more than six months were observed in 15 patients (53.6%) and 20 patients (71.4%), respectively. Fever (90.0%), myalgia (70.0%), fatigue (37.5%), headache (32.5%), and hair loss (5.0%) were noted but no other side effects were noted. Leukocytopenia was observed in 15 cases; however, in only one case the interferon therapy had to be stopped due to severe leukocytopenia. Interferon therapy with Intron A (5MU, thrice a week) may be effective in some chronic hepatitis B.

Keyword

Interferon; Chronic hepatitis B

MeSH Terms

DNA
Fatigue
Fever
Hair
Headache
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B e Antigens
Hepatitis B virus
Hepatitis B, Chronic
Hepatitis, Chronic*
Humans
Interferons
Introns*
Leukopenia
Liver Cirrhosis
Myalgia
DNA
Hepatitis B e Antigens
Interferons