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Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction
Published on: June 19, 2025
476
Low dose interferon alfa-2b for chronic hepatitis B in Asian countries
1Essex Asia Ltd, Hong Kong.
Gut
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Low dose interferon alfa-2b effectively treated hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in patients. Treatment normalized liver enzymes and reduced HBV DNA, HBeAg, with sustained effects and mild side effects.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection poses a significant global health challenge.
- Interferon alfa-2b is a therapeutic agent used in managing chronic HBV infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-dose interferon alfa-2b in patients with chronic HBV infection.
- To assess treatment response rates, including viral clearance and seroconversion markers.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 587 patients with a predicted good response to treatment.
- Treatment administered at low doses of interferon alfa-2b.
- Monitoring of alanine amino-transferase (ALT) levels, hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), and anti-HBe antibody status.
Main Results:
- Normalisation of ALT levels observed in 76-87% of patients after four months.
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA negativity achieved in 49-72% of patients.
- Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) negativity in 51-66%, and anti-HBe positivity in 44-62% of patients.
- Therapeutic effects were sustained during 9-12 months of follow-up.
- Mild side effects were reported, leading to treatment discontinuation in 12 patients.
Conclusions:
- Low-dose interferon alfa-2b demonstrates significant efficacy in managing chronic HBV infection.
- The treatment leads to biochemical and virological improvements with sustained effects.
- The safety profile is favorable, with manageable side effects.
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