Summary
In this randomized, controlled multicenter trial we evaluated the effects of recombinant interferon-α2b on galactose elimination capacity and histological activity index in 88 patients with chronic active hepatitis non-A/non-B. Forty-five patients were randomly assigned to treatment with interferon at 1.5 × 106 U three times per for 1 year; 43 patients were assigned to no treatment. A complete response (normalization of alanine aminotransferase) was observed, respectively, in 47% and 5% of the two groups (P<0.006); 47% of these patients suffered a relapse. Thus 22% of patients had a sustained response. Histological activity decreased significantly in responders (P<0.04) while the biopsy score did not change significantly in nonresponders. In contrast, galactose elimination capacity — a surrogate marker for survival in chronic active hepatitis — was not affected by response to treatment. None of the parameters evaluated, including hepatitis C virus RNA, was able to predict response or relapse. We conclude that low-dose interferon treatment for 1 year is as effective as the recommended treatment schedule.
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Abbreviations
- ALT:
-
alanine aminotransferase
- HCV:
-
hepatitis C virus
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Dedicated to Prof. Dr. G. Paumgartner on the occasion of his 60th birthday by the Swiss hepatologists and his Swiss friends
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Reichen, J., Solioz, M., Bühler, H. et al. Low-dose interferon in chronic hepatitis non-A/non-B: effects on quantitative liver function and structure in a randomized, controlled multicenter trial. Clin Investig 71, 888–893 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00185598
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00185598