Treatment of chronic hepatitis B with recombinant leukocyte interferon and cyanidanol

Twelve male patients with chronic hepatitis B were treated by the combination of recombinant human alpha-interferon and cyanidanol. They received 3 million units of interferon twice a week and 2,250 mg of cyanidanol daily for 24 weeks. Four patients had sustained clinical improvement in which hepatitis B e antigen and DNA polymerase disappeared from sera and aminotransferase activities fell to normal levels. Elevated pretreatment aminotransferases were associated with the response to therapy. Also, decreased number of OKT4-positive cells prior to treatment were observed among responders. Side effects were minimal and all patients tolerated treatment on an outpatient basis. Twice weekly administration of recombinant leukocyte interferon with cyanidanol may be effective in treating chronic hepatitis when patients are appropriately selected.