Efficacy of interferon in treating chronic hepatitis C in children with a
history of acute leukemia
H Komatsu, T Fujisawa, A Inui, Y Miyakawa, M Onoue, I Sekine, R Hanada and K Yamamoto
Department of Pediatrics, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan.
Interferon (IFN) is effective in treating adults as well as children with
chronic hepatitis C. We investigated the efficacy of IFN therapy in 13
children with underlying acute leukemia who had chronic hepatitis C (age
range, 5 to 17 years; mean age, 9.9 years). Natural IFN- alpha was
administered at a dose of 0.1 mega unit (MU)/kg (maximum dose, 6.0 MU)
daily for 2 weeks and then three times per week for an additional 22 weeks
(total dose, 8 MU/kg). IFN treatment was initiated at least 2 years after
the completion of treatment for acute leukemia. A complete response was
obtained in 5 children (38%). The serum level of anti- hepatitis C virus
core antibody was closely related to the response to IFN. IFN therapy was
well tolerated by all but 1 of the children, who developed mild transient
heart failure 4 months after the initiation of therapy. IFN therapy for
children with chronic hepatitis C who had underlying acute leukemia was
beneficial. However, further trials are required to confirm the safety and
improve the dosage schedule of IFN therapy.
Volume 87,
Issue 10,
pp. 4072-4075,
05/15/1996
Copyright © 1996 by The American Society of Hematology
