β- and γ-Interferon in chronic active hepatitis B:

Abstract 

A controlled, randomized trial of a short-term, medium-dose combination therapy of β- and γ-interferon was performed in 20 patients with chronic active hepatitis B. According to clinical, biochemical, and histologic findings that were followed up for 16–24 mo, the combined treatment was successful in 5 of 10 patients. Two of the patients eliminated the virus completely, as confirmed by Southern blotting of hepatocellular deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) against hepatitis B virus DNA. In the other 3 responders hepatitis B surface antigen persisted in the absence of hepatitis B e antigen, replicating hepatitis B virus DNA in the liver and inflammatory disease activity. Two of these responders with persistent hepatitis B surface antigen had hepatitis B virus DNA integrated into the hepatocyte genome and 1 responder had nonreplicating, episomal virus DNA. In the control group of 10 patients one spontaneous remission occurred. Anti-viral treatment was significantly (p < 0.05) more successful within the first 4 yr after infection (5 responders of 6 treated patients) than after longer disease duration (no responder of 4 treated patients). The results of this pilot study suggest that a combination of β- and γ-interferon may be an effective therapy for chronic active hepatitis B when started early after infection.

Abbreviations:  CAHB, chronic active hepatitis B, MU, million units

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