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Interferon Treatment of Viral Hepatitis

Practical Recommendations

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Summary

Since the end of the 1980s, interferons have been widely used to treat viral hepatitis B and C. Numerous therapeutic regimens involving different dosages, administration frequencies and therapy durations have been used in various clinical and virological situations. The mode of administration and treatment modalities remain similar whatever the type of viral infection.

Absolute contraindications to giving interferon are few. Nevertheless, this treatment should not be considered in the presence of severe cardiovascular, pulmonary, endocrine or neurological disturbances. Disruption of haematological and thyroid functions may limit treatment, and markers of autoimmunity must be carefully monitored because they can be either virologically induced or coexist with a viral infection. Clinical tolerance is assessed through regular follow-up which aims to detect any significant decline in the patient’s general status or the presence of neuropsychiatric manifestations, skin disorders or, more rarely, pulmonary or cardiovascular problems that might justify a dosage reduction or discontinuation of therapy.

Biological monitoring of therapy aims first to evaluate haematological and thyroid tolerance and secondly to evaluate biological and virological efficacy. Serum transaminases should always be monitored, and beyond this the quantitative follow-up of viral replication markers is the most useful means to monitor virological efficacy of treatment. These markers allow rapid judgment of the response and optimal adaptation of treatment after taking into account the various biological and virological clinical parameters.

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  1. Service d’Hépato-Gastroentérologie, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, 1 Place de l’Hôpital, 69288, Lyon Cedex 02, France

    François Bailly &  Christian Trépo

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  1. François Bailly
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  2. Christian Trépo
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Bailly, F., Trépo, C. Interferon Treatment of Viral Hepatitis. BioDrugs 8, 16–23 (1997). https://doi.org/10.2165/00063030-199708010-00003

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