β- and γ-Interferon in Chronic Active Hepatitis B: A Pilot Trial of Short-Term Combination Therapy

A controlled, randomized trial of a short-term, medium-dose combination therapy of β- and γ-interferon was performed in 20 patients with chronic active hepatitis B. According to clinical, biochemical, and histologic findings that were followed up for 16–24 mo, the combined treatment was successful in 5 of 10 patients. Two of the patients eliminated the virus completely, as confirmed by Southern blotting of hepatocellular deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) against hepatitis B virus DNA. In the other 3 responders hepatitis B surface antigen persisted in the absence of hepatitis B e antigen, replicating hepatitis B virus DNA in the liver and inflammatory disease activity. Two of these responders with persistent hepatitis B surface antigen had hepatitis B virus DNA integrated into the hepatocyte genome and 1 responder had nonreplicating, episomal virus DNA. In the control group of 10 patients one spontaneous remission occurred. Antiviral treatment was significantly (p