Vidarabine monophosphate and human leukocyte interferon in chronic hepatitis B infection

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Ten young adult male patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection and positive hepatitis B e antigen and DNA polymerase (DNAP) levels were treated with alternating courses of 7-28 days of 5-7.5 mg/kg of vidarabine monophosphate (adenine arabinoside monophosphate) and 28 days of human leukocyte interferon (IFN-.alpha.); 3 different regimens were given on an outpatient basis. All patients responded with a fall in their DNAP level and the DNAP remained undetectable 6 mo. after treatment was stopped in 1 patient. The major side effect, which most often occurred in those patients receiving 7.5 mg/kg of vidarabine monophosphate, was severe muscular pains. The feasibility of administering vidarabine monophosphate and interferon to outpatients was demonstrated. Thus, it is now possible to use a relatively nontoxic regimen that includes 28 days of 5 mg/kg of vidarabine monophosphate in a larger controlled study to answer the question of efficacy.