Treatment with human gamma interferon of chronic hepatitis B: Comparative study with alpha interferon

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Abstract
A pilot study was designed to determine the tolerance and effectiveness of natural or recombinant gamma interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Sixteen patients received 0.5 to 3.0 million units (MU) per day of gamma interferon (IFN‐γ) for 7 days. Nineteen chronic hepatitis B patients who were treated with 5–6 MU leukocyte‐derived alpha interferon (IFN‐α) daily served as controls. All completed the treatment schedule. IFN‐γ exerted mild, but significant inhibitory effects ( P < 05) on serum DNA polymerase levels. However, the changes were significantly less (P < 001) than those seen with IFN‐α therapy when compared with percent change from basal values. In contrast, serum 2', 5'‐oligoadenylate synthetase (2–5 AS) activities were markedly enhanced t o a similar extent during therapy with both IFNs. Serum β2‐micro‐globulin values were significantly increased by administration with both IFNs, although higher values were seen with IFN‐γ. Five patients received 1 MU IFN‐γ for 28 consecutive days and their HBeAg levels similarly decreased as those seen in patients treated with IFN‐α. Side effects seemed to be greater during IFN‐γ therapy than IFN‐α despite the lower doses used. The antiviral effect on serum HBV levels appeared less with IFN‐γ than with IFN‐α. Alternatively immunomodulatory functions may have been enhanced with IFN‐γ in patients with chronic HBV infection.