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Current State of Interferon Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B
| Content Provider | Scilit |
|---|---|
| Author | Manns, Michael P. |
| Copyright Year | 2002 |
| Description | Interferon alpha (IFN) has been used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B for approximately 25 years. Predictors of response include high pretreatment serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), low serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels, and infection in adulthood. However, only one third of patients achieve a durable response to a course of IFN therapy. Predictors of nonresponse include normal serum ALT levels, high serum HBV DNA levels, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative infection, childhood infection, and immunosuppression. IFN is contraindicated in patients with decompensated liver disease. In addition, the need for parenteral administration and a significant incidence of difficult-to-tolerate side effects limit the suitability of IFN for long-term therapy. For most patients with chronic hepatitis B, including those infected neonatally and those with HBeAg-negative disease, safe, tolerable, and effective alternatives to IFN are needed. |
| Related Links | http://www.thieme-connect.de/products/ejournals/pdf/10.1055/s-2002-35695.pdf |
| Ending Page | 014 |
| Page Count | 8 |
| Starting Page | 007 |
| ISSN | 02728087 |
| e-ISSN | 10988971 |
| DOI | 10.1055/s-2002-35695 |
| Journal | Seminars in Liver Disease |
| Issue Number | s1 |
| Volume Number | 22 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Georg Thieme Verlag KG |
| Publisher Date | 2002-11-25 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Journal: Seminars in Liver Disease Keywordshepatitis Chronic Hepatitis B |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
| Subject | Hepatology |
