Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2026

High-throughput Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR Assay for Determining Expression Profiles of Types I and III Interferon Subtypes
10:00

High-throughput Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR Assay for Determining Expression Profiles of Types I and III Interferon Subtypes

Published on: March 24, 2015

A meta-analysis of interferon-alpha treatment of hepatitis D virus infection

M Malaguarnera1, S Restuccia, G Pistone

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Catania, Italy.

Pharmacotherapy
|July 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Interferon (IFN)-alpha shows efficacy in treating chronic hepatitis D, though benefits are limited to a few patients. It remains the sole therapeutic option currently available for this severe liver infection.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis D infection presents significant severity and unfavorable disease progression.
  • There is a critical need for novel therapeutic strategies to alter the natural history of hepatitis D.
  • Interferon (IFN)-alpha has emerged as a primary treatment choice for this condition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the long-term efficacy of interferon (IFN)-alpha in managing chronic hepatitis D.
  • To synthesize evidence from multiple clinical trials on IFN-alpha's effectiveness.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 5 controlled and 10 uncontrolled clinical trials conducted between 1987 and 1994.
  • Statistical analysis of controlled trials using the Mantel-Haenszel-Peto method.

Main Results:

  • The odds ratio (0.16) indicated efficacy for IFN-alpha in treating chronic hepatitis D.
  • Statistical significance was limited due to a low number of spontaneous remissions observed in the trials.
  • IFN-alpha demonstrated a beneficial effect in a subset of patients.

Conclusions:

  • Interferon (IFN)-alpha is currently the only available therapeutic agent for chronic hepatitis D.
  • While not universally effective, IFN-alpha offers a treatment option for some patients.
  • Further research is warranted to develop more effective treatments for hepatitis D.

More Related Videos

Immunofluorescence to Monitor the Cellular Uptake of Human Lactoferrin and its Associated Antiviral Activity Against the Hepatitis C Virus06:28

Immunofluorescence to Monitor the Cellular Uptake of Human Lactoferrin and its Associated Antiviral Activity Against the Hepatitis C Virus

Published on: October 1, 2015

Development and Validation of an Ultrasensitive Single Molecule Array Digital Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay for Human Interferon-α08:26

Development and Validation of an Ultrasensitive Single Molecule Array Digital Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay for Human Interferon-α

Published on: June 14, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Hepatitis01:25

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver most commonly caused by hepatotropic viruses (A–E), though non-infectious causes such as alcohol and drugs also exist.Hepatitis AHepatitis A virus (HAV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, typically through ingestion of contaminated food or water. After ingestion, HAV enters the bloodstream through the oropharynx or intestinal epithelium and reaches the liver. The...
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis01:30

Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis

Protein synthesis is indispensable for viral replication, as viruses lack the cellular machinery required for this process and must hijack the host's translational apparatus. In response, host cells deploy a critical innate immune defense involving interferons, specialized cytokines that play a central role in inhibiting viral propagation.Upon viral detection, infected cells release interferons that bind to receptors on adjacent uninfected cells, activating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and...