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A pilot double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled study of orally administered IFN-alpha-n1 (Ins) in pediatric
J A Lecciones1, N H Abejar, E E Dimaano
1Philippine Children's Medical Center, Quezon City, Metro Manila. amyml@psdn.org.ph
Abstract:
To determine the safety and effectiveness of low-dose oral interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) against measles, 30 confined pediatric patients were prospectively and randomly assigned to either a placebo or an oral IFN-alpha group and observed daily for 14 days in a double-blind manner. The IFN patients received a daily sublingual dose of 200 IU of human lymphoblastoid IFN-alpha. The IFN-treated group showed shorter average duration of malaise (3.2 vs. 10.7 days, p < 0.0001), anorexia (3.1 vs. 6.7 days, p < 0.0001), and irritability (1.1 vs. 2.2 days, p < 0.01) and shorter duration of macular/maculopapular/papular lesions (4.3 vs. 8.2 days,p < 0.0001) and branny desquamation (4.6 vs. 5.8 days, p > 0.05) and shorter time for rash to become generalized (5.5 vs. 10.3 days, p < 0.0001). No hematologic, renal, or liver toxicities were noted. It, therefore, appears that low-dose oral human lymphoblastoid IFN-alpha used in this pilot study is both safe and effective in children with measles infection.
Insights
Low-dose oral interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) significantly reduced measles symptom duration in children. This pilot study found oral IFN-alpha safe and effective for treating measles infection.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Measles is a highly contagious viral illness.
- Current treatments focus on supportive care.
- Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) has known antiviral properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of low-dose oral interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) in pediatric measles patients.
- To assess the impact of oral IFN-alpha on symptom duration and severity.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
- 30 pediatric patients with measles were assigned to receive either oral IFN-alpha (200 IU daily) or placebo.
- Patients were observed daily for 14 days.
Main Results:
- The IFN-alpha group experienced significantly shorter durations of malaise, anorexia, irritability, and rash.
- Rash generalization time was also significantly reduced in the IFN-alpha group.
- No significant hematologic, renal, or liver toxicities were observed.
Conclusions:
- Low-dose oral human lymphoblastoid IFN-alpha appears safe and effective in treating pediatric measles.
- Oral IFN-alpha may offer a beneficial therapeutic option for measles infection.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these findings in larger trials.