IMMUNOLOGICAL EFFECTS FOLLOWING ADMINISTRATION OF INTERFERON-ALPHA INPATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS-C VIRUS (CHCV) INFECTION

The immunological effects of interferon (IFN)-alpha administration wer e evaluated in 15 patients with cHCV infection. Individuals were treat ed with 6 MU of lymphoblastoid IFN-alpha three times a week for 6 mont hs and with 3 MU three times a week for an additional 6 months. Patien ts were divided into responders (12 subjects) and nonresponders (3 sub jects), respectively, according to alanine aminotransferase serum leve ls at the end of treatment. Before therapy (T-0), absolute numbers of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD14+ and CD16+ cells were significantly reduced in both groups when compared to normal values. At the same time, all pati ents displayed a profound decrease of phagocytosis and killing exerted by both polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) and monocytes (MO). However, MO Killing resulted to be normal in the responder group. With special re ference to T cell function, T cell mediated antibacterial activity, us ing Salmonella typhi as a target, was also significantly reduced. Afte r therapy (T-12), in responder patients a significant increase of CD3, CD4+ CD14+ and CD16+ cell absolute numbers was observed, while phago cytic and T cell functions were still depressed. Among the nonresponde rs, in two of three patients IFN-alpha administration gave rise to an increase (above normality) of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD14+, CD16+ and CD20 cell absolute numbers, while in one patient the same markers dramatic ally dropped below normal range. In two patients, antibacterial activi ty was significantly augmented by IFN-alpha treatment, whereas in one patient no modification was observed. Finally, in the same patients IF N-alpha did not correct PMN and MO pretreatment deficits.