Efficacy and side effects of intermittent recombinant interferon-α2a in chronic aggressive hepatitis C: With or without initial daily administration

To investigate the therapeutic effect and incidence of side effects of recombinant interferon-α2a (IFN-α) in chronic aggressive hepatitis C under stratification by administration mode, a study was conducted by assigning patients to either group A (daily consecutive administration of 9 million units (MU) IFN-α for 2 weeks and, thereafter, 3 MU intermittently 3 times weekly for 22 weeks) or group B (exclusively intermittent administration; 9 MU IFN-α twice weekly or 6 MU IFN-α thrice weekly for 24 weeks). The 28 patients in group A received IFN-α for 24 weeks up to a total dose of 324 MU and the 53 patients in group B received the same for 24 weeks up to a total dose of 432 MU. When recovery was defined as the absence of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA 6 months after the completion of treatment, the rate of recovery for group A was 32.1% and that for group B was 37.7%, the latter being higher but without significance. Side effects in groups A and B consisted of leucopenia occupying 14.3 and 7.5%, respectively, and thrombocytopenia occupying 42.9 and 11.3%, respectively; group B exhibited lower values for both side effects. No difference was detected between these groups in other side effects, including pyrexia, generalized malaise, arthralgia or psilosis. Intermittent administration from the outset permitted shortened duration of hospitalization and earlier rehabilitation. Intermittent administration of INF-α is required when treating patients with chronic hepatitis C showing lower leucocyte or platelet counts.