LYMPHOBLASTOID INTERFERON-ALFA TREATMENT IN CHRONIC HEPATITIS-C

Interferon is becoming the standard treatment in adults for chronic he patitis C. Twenty one children with histologically proved chronic hepa titis C (10 boys, range 2.5-13 years), who were otherwise healthy, wer e enrolled in a randomised controlled study to test their response to interferon alfa. Eleven children were treated with lymphoblastoid inte rferon alfa (3 million units/m(2)) for 12 months; 10 children received no treatment. All had raised transaminases and positive antihepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies and HCV-RNA. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) serum levels became normal in five (45%) treated patients after a mean of three weeks (range 1-6 weeks) and no relapse had occurred by the e nd of follow up (30th month). Only one (10%) untreated patient had nor mal ALT serum levels from the 11th until the 30th month. Disappearance of serum HCV-RNA, persisting throughout the follow up period, was obs erved in the six children (five treated) whose ALT normal. Biopsy spec imens in patients showed a significant improvement in Knodell's score (median (SD) basal 9.0 (2.2); final 2.0 (0.4)). Interferon treatment w as well tolerated in all. This study confirms the efficacy of interfer on in children with chronic hepatitis C, nor only by restoring normal ALT serum levels, but also viral clearance and histological ameliorati on of liver inflammation. Contrary to reports in adults no biochemical and virological relapses occurred in responder children.