Natural interferon alpha treatment and interferon alpha receptor 2 levels in acute hepatitis C

Efficacy of interferon (IFN) therapy during the acute phase of hepatitis C infection is promising, although the optimal regimen has yet to be determined. It is not known whether the known prognostic factors for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) influence the effect of IFN in acute hepatitis C (AHC). Seventeen patients with AHC were analyzed for hepatic IFN alpha receptor 2 (IFNAR2) prior to IFN treatment. All patients were subsequently treated with either 168 million units (MU) or 336 MU of natural IFN alpha. Seventeen age-matched samples of CHC were provided as controls. The overall sustained response rate was 64.7% (11/17). In patients who received a total dose of 168 MU IFN, the sustained response rate was 28.6% (2/7), and in those who received 336 MU of IFN, the sustained response rate was 90.0% (9/10). The peaks of ALT and HCV-RNA quantity were not associated with the response to IFN. The hepatic IFNAR2 levels were 1.52 +/- 0.34 densitometry units and 0.92 +/- 0.16 in AHC and CHC, respectively (P = 0.042). There was no difference in hepatic IFNAR2 levels between sustained virological responders (SVR) and nonsustained virological responders (NR). The hepatic receptor levels were higher in AHC than in CHC patients. The levels of hepatic IFNAR2 did not differ in SVR and NR, indicating that high-dose natural IFN alpha treatment is effective for AHC, irrespective of the levels of hepatic IFNAR2.