Abstract
The relationship between the behavior of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication markers and the response to treatment with recombinant alpha-2b interferon (IFN) was investigated in 11 patients with chronic hepatitis. At the end of 6 months of treatment, 4 patients showed a complete response to IFN: 2 more patients had seroconversion to HBeAb after 8 and 9 months of follow-up, respectively. The response to IFN was partial in the remaining patients. Pre-treatment levels of HBV DNA in patients showing complete response were lower than pre-treatment levels in patients with partial response: in addition, serum HBV DNA clearance during the treatment was associated with sustained remission more frequently than changes in the HBeAg/HBeAb system.
Publication types
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Clinical Trial
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adolescent
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Adult
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Alanine Transaminase / drug effects
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Alanine Transaminase / metabolism
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Biomarkers / blood*
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Child
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DNA, Viral / blood
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Female
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Hepatitis Antibodies / analysis
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Hepatitis Antibodies / immunology
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Hepatitis B / blood
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Hepatitis B / drug therapy*
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Hepatitis B e Antigens / analysis
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Hepatitis B e Antigens / immunology
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Hepatitis B virus / immunology
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Hepatitis B virus / physiology*
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Hepatitis, Chronic / blood
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Hepatitis, Chronic / drug therapy*
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Humans
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Interferon alpha-2
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Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use*
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Recombinant Proteins
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Virus Replication / drug effects*
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Virus Replication / physiology
Substances
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Biomarkers
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DNA, Viral
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Hepatitis Antibodies
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Hepatitis B e Antigens
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Interferon alpha-2
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Interferon-alpha
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Recombinant Proteins
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Alanine Transaminase