EFFECT OF DAILY ADMINISTRATION PERIOD OF NATURAL ALPHA-INTERFERON IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS-C

Objective: A randomized, controlled trial was performed to study the e ffect of the period of daily administration of interferon therapy in p atients with chronic hepatitis C. Patients and Methods: Sixty-three pa tients were administered a total dose of 480 MU of natural alpha-inter feron, 6 MU each day. In 32 cases, interferon was given daily for 2 wk , followed by intermittent administration (three times a week) for 22 wk. The other 31 patients received daily administration for 8 wk, foll owed by intermittent administration (twice a week) for 12 wk. The resp onses were based on the normalization of ALT and the clearance of hepa titis C virus. Results: Although ALT normalized in 37 patients during the administration of interferon, it relapsed after the end of interfe ron therapy in 20 patients. The other 17 patients achieved sustained n ormalization of ALT and clearance of hepatitis C virus RNA. Responses did not differ according to the administration period of interferon. C onclusions: Prolonged daily administration did not improve the respons es to interferon therapy when the total. dose was the same.