EFFECTS OF RECOMBINANT ALPHA-INTERFERON ON CHRONIC ACTIVE HEPATITIS-B- PRELIMINARY-RESULTS

This paper presents the preliminary results of a study designed to eva luate the effects of alpha interferon in chronic hepatitis B. After si x months' treatment with interferon alfa-2b (5 million units (MU), thr ee times weekly) 15 of 25 (60%) patients achieved seroconversion of he patitis B e antigen, 17 (68%) normalised alanine aminotransferase (ALT ) activity, and 15 (60%) showed a decrease in the inflammatory reactio n on liver histology. No seroconversions occurred in the control group (n=10), and none of the control patients achieved a normal ALT or sho wed a reduction in the inflammatory reaction. Adverse effects were exp erienced by most patients who received interferon but none warranted s topping the treatment.