摘要
Background: More than half of the children with chronic hepatitis B infection are nonresponders to interferon- α . The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of lamivudine and interferon- α combination therapy after a 3- month lamivudine induction in children with chronic hepatitis B. Study: Twenty naive children were given lamivudine (4 mg/kg per day; maximum, 100 mg) alone fo r 3 months; then interferon- α (10 MU/m2, thrice weekly) was added to lamivud ine for 6 months. After interferon- α was stopped, lamivudine alone was conti nued for 6 months. Therapy was stopped 6 months after HBeAg seroconversion. Ever y 3 months, HBV markers were studied and virologic response was defined as HBV D NA negativity, and HBeAg loss with Anti- HBe seroconversion. Results: At the en d of 15 months, virologic response was achieved in 11 (55% ) of patients and 12 patients (60% ) cleared hepatitis B e antigen. Therapy was well tolerated. Con clusion: Preliminary results of our study seem to indicate that lamivudine and h igh- dose interferon- α combination therapy after a 3- month lamivudine ind uction may represent an effective treatment option for children with chronic hep atitis B.
Background: More than half of the children with chronic hepatitis B infection are nonresponders to interferon- α . The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of lamivudine and interferon- α combination therapy after a 3- month lamivudine induction in children with chronic hepatitis B. Study: Twenty naive children were given lamivudine (4 mg/kg per day; maximum, 100 mg) alone fo r 3 months; then interferon- α (10 MU/m2, thrice weekly) was added to lamivud ine for 6 months. After interferon- α was stopped, lamivudine alone was conti nued for 6 months. Therapy was stopped 6 months after HBeAg seroconversion. Ever y 3 months, HBV markers were studied and virologic response was defined as HBV D NA negativity, and HBeAg loss with Anti- HBe seroconversion. Results: At the en d of 15 months, virologic response was achieved in 11 (55% ) of patients and 12 patients (60% ) cleared hepatitis B e antigen. Therapy was well tolerated. Con clusion: Preliminary results of our study seem to indicate that lamivudine and h igh- dose interferon- α combination therapy after a 3- month lamivudine ind uction may represent an effective treatment option for children with chronic hep atitis B.
