Effectiveness of Leukocyte Interferon-α Treatment in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Not Responsive to Recombinant Interferon

Twenty-four patients with chronic active HCVinfection, nonresponders to a previous treatment cyclewith recombinant interferon-α (r-IFNA), underwentretreatment with leukocyte (LE-) IFN-α. This was administered at the dose of 3 MU threetimes a week, for either six months (group A) or 12months (group B). All patients were followed-up for afurther 12 months. ALT levels significantly (P <0.05) decreased in group A, with complete response inthree cases and a partial response in a further three atthe end of treatment. During follow-up all patientsagain showed increases in ALT values. In group B also ALT significantly (P < 0.05)decreased, with two complete and five partial responses.During follow-up, apart from two patients with partialresponses who relapsed, all maintained their initial response. At the end of treatment HCV RNA wasno longer detectable in complete responders of bothgroups, while it was found reduced in those partialresponders who maintained their response duringfollow-up. Partially responding subjects treated for sixmonths evidenced higher levels than those treated for 12months. IFN-α retreatment could therefore beeffective in previously nonresponding patients, with a change in the type of interferon administeredand the use of higher dosages and/or longer treatmentperiods.