[Therapy of chronic hepatitis B with interferon]

Abstract

Over the last decade several well conducted studies in Europe and North America have shown that recombinant interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) is an effective drug for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. 5 million units given subcutaneously daily or every other day for 4 to 6 months will achieve remission in 30% (complete with loss of all viral markers) to 40% (incomplete with resolution of hepatitis but persistence of viral markers) of patients. High activity of hepatitis and low rate of viral replication are favourable prognostic markers. Male sex, infection in childhood and superinfection with the delta virus are associated with a low response rate. Cirrhotics in particular in the decompensated state of disease should be treated in a center with the possibility of liver transplantation.