Interfered Alpha-2b Treatment of Chronic Posttransfusion Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis: Interim Results of a Randomized Controlled Open Study

Abstract

32 patients with biopsy-proven chronic non-A, non-B posttransfusion hepatitis and raised aminotransferase levels since more than 1 year were randomized 2:1 to treatment with interferon alpha-2b, Introna®, or to controls. The interferon group received 3 MU interferon 3 times weekly subcutaneously. Interim results 12 weeks after randomization showed that 14/21 (67%) patients in the treatment group had normalized their serum alanine aminotransferase levels whereas none of 11 patients in the control group had (p<0.001). If interferon alpha-2b is only suppressive during ongoing therapy or Curative will be shown later during continued follow-up.