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Published on: August 23, 2016

Efficacy of interferon-alpha treatment in Japanese children with chronic hepatitis C

Eisuke Nakashima1, Takuji Fujisawa, Akihiko Kimura

  • 1Departments of Peditarics, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan.

Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
|March 26, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Natural interferon-alpha treatment effectively cleared hepatitis C virus (HCV) in 47% of Japanese children. This safe therapy showed promising long-term efficacy, especially for genotype 2a patients with low viral loads.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Investigated natural interferon (IFN)-alpha treatment efficacy in Japanese children with chronic hepatitis C.
  • Study included 34 pediatric patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of natural IFN-alpha in treating chronic hepatitis C in children.
  • To identify predictors of long-term treatment response.

Main Methods:

  • Administered 6 months of natural IFN-alpha therapy to 34 children.
  • Monitored serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA titers and liver histology before, during, and after treatment.
  • Followed patients for at least 12 months post-treatment.

Main Results:

  • 47% of patients achieved normal alanine aminotransferase and undetectable HCV RNA 6 months after treatment cessation.
  • Complete response observed in 80% of genotype 2a patients.
  • Low initial HCV RNA (<102 copies/mL) after 1 month predicted complete response; histological improvement noted in most patients.
  • Treatment was safe, with only mild, influenza-like symptoms reported.

Conclusions:

  • Natural IFN-alpha is a safe and effective treatment for chronic hepatitis C in children.
  • Early viral load reduction (<102 copies/mL after 1 month) and genotype 2a are positive predictors for sustained virologic response.
Abstract

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