Comparison of treatment with two different doses of leukocyte interferon alpha in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Background/Aims: This study was carried in order to investigate whether human leukocyte interferon-α administered for 12 months at two different dosages, improves long-term responses in chronic hepatitis C and to see whether pre-treatment γ-glutamyl transpeptidase values help to predict the clinical response to Interferon. Methodology: Forty-five patients were treated for 12 months with natural Interferon-α: 3 MU (group A: 31 cases); 6 MU (group B: 14 cases). Biochemical and virological responses were monitored during treatment and follow-up. Results: Alanine aminotransferase was normalized in 58.1% (Group A) and 54.5% (Group B) of patients by the end of the treatment. Due to side effects 3 patients had to discontinue treatment. During follow-up, remission was maintained in 30.8% and 45.4% of patients respectively (p=0.046). After 12 months of therapy, respectively 46.7% and 45.4% of patients with complete biochemical response, cleared virus from serum, as did, among long-term responders, 3/8 and 3/4 evaluated patients. Independently of dosage, a complete response was found more often in patients with normal pre-treatment γ-glutamyl transpeptidase than in those with pre-treatment abnormal values. Conclusions: High dosage of IFNα was associated with a significantly greater rate of sustained biochemical response and with a better chance ofviremia becoming negative. Pre-treatment γ-glutamyl transpeptidase was able to predict the outcome of the treatment.