EFFECT OF INTERFERON THERAPY ON RADIONUCLIDE IMAGING IN CHRONIC LIVER-DISEASES DUE TO HCV INFECTION

Interferon (alpha-IFN) exerts a modulating effect on the immune system . Kupffer cells of the liver play an important immunological role by t heir uptake of various agents and particles, including colloids. We so ught to discover if alpha-IFN could enhance the colloid uptake functio n of the Kupffer cells. The effect of alpha-IFN therapy on radioisotop e scans of the liver was studied in 20 patients with chronic liver dis ease due to hepatitic C virus (HCV) infection who received therapy at a dose of 3 million IU for 6 mo, in another 20 patients who received t he same therapy for 12 mo and in matched control groups (10 patients w ith HCV infection for each study group) who did not receive alpha-IFN, Methods: A Tc-99m-sulfur colloid scan of the liver was obtained for e ach group before and after therapy and, for control subjects, at the s tart and end of the study periods. The liver-to-spleen geometric mean ratio of colloid uptake was assessed. Results: In the first study grou p, the mean rate of improvement in the liver-to-spleen ratio was 48% i n 70% of patients, compared to 8% in 20% of controls (p < 0.05). In th e second study group, mean liver-to-spleen ratio was 88% in 85% of pat ients, compared to 12% in 40% of controls (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Alp ha-IFN therapy appears to enhance the colloidal uptake function of Kup ffer cells, which adds a new dimension to the immunomodulatory effect of interferon.