Efficacy of polyadenylic.polyuridylic acid in the treatment of chronic active hepatitis B

Int J Immunopharmacol. 1994 Mar;16(3):217-25. doi: 10.1016/0192-0561(94)90015-9.

Abstract

In order to assess whether polyadenylic.polyuridylic acid [poly(A).poly(U)] can be used as a new therapeutic agent for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, 19 patients with histologically proven chronic active hepatitis B were injected intravenously with 100-150 mg of poly(A).poly(U) weekly for six weeks. Changes in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (2'.5'-AS) activities and HBV markers were sequentially checked during and after treatments. Serum ALT levels were decreased gradually and 2'.5'-AS activities were significantly increased after initiation of poly(A).poly(U) injections. At the end of this trial (24th week) we have observed the normalizations of elevated ALT levels in 14 (73.7%), negative conversion of HBeAg in 11 (57.9%) and loss of HBV-DNA in 12 out of 19 patients (63.1%). Complete responses which had both normalization of ALT levels and negative conversion of HBeAg were noted in 11 patients (57.9%) and partial responses showing either normalization of ALT levels or negative conversion of HBeAg alone were in four out of 19 patients (21.1%). No notable adverse effects were observed during the treatments and follow-up period. It can be concluded that poly(A).poly(U) seems to be effective in the treatment of chronic active hepatitis B and has an advantage of being free of significant side effects.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase / blood
  • Adult
  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • DNA, Viral / blood
  • Female
  • Hepatitis B / blood
  • Hepatitis B / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis B e Antigens / blood
  • Hepatitis B virus / isolation & purification
  • Hepatitis, Chronic / blood
  • Hepatitis, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Poly A-U / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • DNA, Viral
  • Hepatitis B e Antigens
  • Poly A-U
  • Alanine Transaminase
  • 2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase