Abstract
Interferon-α2b is widely used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. The aim of this multicentre study was to analyse the effect of prolonged recombinant interferon-α on liver functions and hepatitis C virus markers in serum. A further aim was to provide data on dosage and long-term administration of α-interferon. Eight liver units in universities and hospitals were involved in the open prospective study. Ninety-one patients were selected for the trial.
Therapy protocol: The patients with chronic C hepatitis were treated with α-interferon (Intron A) for one year and observed for another six months.
Efficacy of the therapy: There were 59 responders out of 91 patients (64.8%) with chronic C hepatitis. After one year of therapy, 37 out of 91 cases (40.6%) with chronic C hepatitis had completely responded: more patients under 40 years old had sustained a complete response than those over 40 years old. Side-effects, apart from a flu-like syndrome, were found only in a few cases.
Conclusion: The interferon-α therapy is a good modality for treatment of patients with hepatitis-Cvirus-induced chronic hepatitis. It is more effective in younger patients than in older ones.
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© 1997 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
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Fehér, J. et al. (1997). Recombinant Interferon-α2b Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis C. a Prospective Multicentre Study in Hungary. In: Mózsik, G., Nagy, L., Pár, A., Rainsford, K.D. (eds) Cell Injury and Protection in the Gastrointestinal Tract. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5392-8_28
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5392-8_28
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