In order to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of recombinent alpha-interferon, we studied 29 patients proven to have chronic hepatitis B(CAH : 26 cases, CPH : 3 cases) through biopsy from January 1991 to December 1993. All patients
were
seropositive for HBeAg, and received alphn-interferon with total dosage up to 120 million units.
@ES The results were as follows:
@EN 1) HBeAg sero-conversion rate was 51.7%(total 15 cases including 3 cases in chronic persistant hepatitis group), and all these patients have normalized transaminase levels continously.
2. In response group, the serum transaminase level began to decrease to average 4.7th week after initiation of interferon. But in non-response group. the serum transaminase level began to decrease at 2nd to 4th week transiently after interferon,
and
then increase again.
3. Several adverse effects were noted during interferon treatment. General ache an myalgia wre most common(65.5%), followed by fever and chillness(37.9%), headache(37.9%), leukopenia(17.2%) etc. But they were relatively tolerable.
4. Periphral blood leukocyte counts showed slight reduction within 1 week after initiation of interferon treatment but rapidly recovered to normal level within 5 days after temporary withdrawal. And after completion of interferon treatment, no
significant differences were remained compared with initial level. With these results, it suggests that α-interferon therapy may be effective and safe in chronic hepatitis b. However, futher study will be required in non-responsive group
thereafter.
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