Interferon treatment of HCV-correlated active chronic hepatitis and hepatic cirrhosis: personal experience
Spina, M.; Cioffi, D.; Ebreo, A.
Minerva Gastroenterologica e Dietologica 44(2): 117-120
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 1121-421X PMID: 16495892 Document Number: 492955
IFN therapy is the only method of treating HCV-correlated active chronic hepatitis given that Ribavirin is still undergoing clinical trials. A total of 166 patients received treatment: 73 (aged <50 years) with active chronic hepatitis and 45 (aged <50) with CHILD hepatic cirrhosis; 24 patients were used as a control group. The first group was treated with alpha-IFN and the second with beta-IFN. The complete response was evaluated at 12 months and the sustained response at 18 months using chi2 according to Yates. Highly significant results (p<0.001) were obtained in the two groups compared to controls, but no statistically significant differences were observed between the various alpha-IFN subgroups. Treatment with alpha-IFN and beta-IFN was effective in reducing indices of cytolysis and viral activities. IFN treatment positively alters the hepatic histological evolution: the authors affirm that even in advanced cases of chronic liver disease, treatment with IFN may slow down the natural evolution of the disease.