Randomised controlled trial of interferon alfa 2A (rbe) (Roferon-A) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection: factors that influence response.

Abstract

SUMMARY In a randomised controlled trial recombinant interferon alpha 2A (Roferon-A, rIFN alfa A) given at a dosage of 10 million units (MU)/m2 thrice weekly for six months was significantly better (p<002) than no treatment in producing a sustained loss of hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg) in hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronic carriers. Although lower doses (5 MU/M2 and 2-5 MU/M2) also produced some responses, the seroconversion rate was not significantly greater than that observed in the control group. Sixteen of the 45 patients receiving interferon were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody positive: none of these responded. Forty one per cent of the anti-HIV negative patients receiving interferon (12/29, p<O005) lost HBeAg and 17% (5/29) lost hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The response rate among these anti-HIV negative patients receiving at least three months therapy was 46% and 19% respectively. Low pretreatment HBV-DNA and absence of anti-HIV were the only significant independent variables predicting response to therapy (p<003 and p<0 05 respectively). In six patients, neutralising antibodies to alpha interferon were detected during therapy, the majority being non-responders.Both adenine arabinoside monophosphate (Ara-AMP) and the alpha interferons have been used successfully to treat chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.`'-Lymphoblastoid interferon, used on a thrice weekly basis for three months, has been shown to have equal or possibly greater effectiveness than Ara-AMP. Furthermore, lymphoblastoid interferon, in contrast to Ara-AMP, may result in clearance of HBs as well as HBeAg.3 More recently, when recombinant interferon with alfa 2A was used in both high5 and low6 dosages, it was shown to produce transient inhibition of viral replication.The aims of the present study were, first to

Neutralizing and Binding Antibodies to IFN-β: Relative Frequency in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients Treated with Different IFN-βPreparations

“…(13) In several cases, the appearance of such Ab has been associated with decreased clinical efficacy of IFN-a therapy. (14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25) The is- sue of anti-IFN development has been addressed also in patients treated with IFN-b, especially RRMS patients. (3)(4)(5)9,12,(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31) The incidence of Ab in patients treated with commercial IFN-b preparations varies significantly (from 0 to 95%).…”

Long-term experience with interferon beta-1b (Betaferon®) in multiple sclerosis

“…In patients with leukaemia or hepatitis treated with interferon alpha, the development of high-titre (> 1:500) antibodies can cause a clear-cut loss of efficacy. By extrapolation, the presence of neutralising antibodies in MS led to the perception that a major loss of efficacy must accompany their appearance [4]. The problem has been that an impact of antibodies on the treatment response in MS has not been clearly or consistently found.…”

Suppression of interferon-mediated anti-HBV response by single CpG methylation in the 5′-UTR of TRIM22

“…However, only 30%–44% of patients with chronic hepatitis B show satisfactory virological and serological responses to treatment with pegylated-IFNα 18 19. Furthermore, the susceptibility of HBV to IFNs is lower than that of HCV 20.…”