Acute Dane Particle Suppression with Recombinant Leukocyte A Interferon in Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Authors:
  • CSC. I. Smith
    C. I. Smith
  • JWJ. Weissberg
    J. Weissberg
  • LBL. Bernhardt
    L. Bernhardt
  • PGP. B. Gregory
    P. B. Gregory
  • WRW. S. Robinson
    W. S. Robinson
  • TMT. C. Merigan
    T. C. Merigan
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Abstract
The clinical, virologic, biochemical, and immunologic effects of a biosynthetic human leukocyte interferon, recombinant leukocyte A interferon (rIFN-A or HuIFN-α2) are reported in nine patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection and circulating Dane particle-associated polymerase activity. Eight-day courses of rIFN-A were given starting at a dose of 3 × 106 units per day and reaching 68 × 106 units per day in two patients. Major toxic side effects included fever, fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms, myalgias, and headache. Most courses of rIFN-A were associated with a reduction in Dane particle-associated polymerase activity, but in no case was this change permanent. There were also changes in lymphocyte subpopulations at the higher dosage levels of rIFN-A. Because of the reproducible, statistically significant effect on viral replication, further study with this and other biosynthetic interferon species is warranted.