Alpha-interferon in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in children
Cinquetti, M.; Marchi, D.
La Pediatria Medica e Chirurgica Medical and Surgical Pediatrics 17(6): 501-507
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0391-5387 PMID: 8668583 Document Number: 454143
The hepatitis C virus is the main causative agent for sporadic as well as parenteral cases of non-A non-B hepatitis. Alpha interferon is a biologically active protein produced by B lymphocytes and monocytes which can be manufactured by recombinant DNA technology. Treatment of chronic hepatitis C with interferon in adults is associated with a sustained response in 20-25% of treated cases. First studies provide encouraging results for the use of interferon in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in children, but controlled trials using this drug in a larger population of children are needed.