ABSTRACT
Interferon alpha (IFN) has been used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B for approximately
25 years. Predictors of response include high pretreatment serum levels of alanine
aminotransferase (ALT), low serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels, and infection
in adulthood. However, only one third of patients achieve a durable response to a
course of IFN therapy. Predictors of nonresponse include normal serum ALT levels,
high serum HBV DNA levels, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative infection, childhood
infection, and immunosuppression. IFN is contraindicated in patients with decompensated
liver disease. In addition, the need for parenteral administration and a significant
incidence of difficult-to-tolerate side effects limit the suitability of IFN for long-term
therapy. For most patients with chronic hepatitis B, including those infected neonatally
and those with HBeAg-negative disease, safe, tolerable, and effective alternatives
to IFN are needed.
KEYWORDS
Hepatitis - chronic hepatitis B - interferon - immunomodulators - antiviral agents
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1
*These studies used various assays for HBV DNA, and in some instances the LLQ was
not specified. At the time the studies were conducted, however, more precise quantitative
assays were not commonly used
