Biomaterial Database

Treatment of chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C with interferon alfa-2b. 1996

P J Molloy, and M Azzouz, and D H Van Thiel

Western Pennsylvania Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

Chronic viral hepatitis B and C are problems of immense proportions. Interferon alfa-2b is the only agent currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and C. Initial enthusiasm for this therapy has waned with the realization that response rates are low and relapses are common. Recent studies, however, provide evidence of improved response rates with higher doses of interferon alfa-2b and the use of this agent in combination with iron reduction therapy consisting of repeated phlebotomies. Predictors of an increased likelihood of response to interferon alfa-2b therapy have also been identified, and their use may improve the cost-benefit ratio for this treatment.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011994	Recombinant Proteins	Proteins prepared by recombinant DNA technology.	Biosynthetic Protein,Biosynthetic Proteins,DNA Recombinant Proteins,Recombinant Protein,Proteins, Biosynthetic,Proteins, Recombinant DNA,DNA Proteins, Recombinant,Protein, Biosynthetic,Protein, Recombinant,Proteins, DNA Recombinant,Proteins, Recombinant,Recombinant DNA Proteins,Recombinant Proteins, DNA
D002908	Chronic Disease	Diseases which have one or more of the following characteristics: they are permanent, leave residual disability, are caused by nonreversible pathological alteration, require special training of the patient for rehabilitation, or may be expected to require a long period of supervision, observation, or care (Dictionary of Health Services Management, 2d ed). For epidemiological studies chronic disease often includes HEART DISEASES; STROKE; CANCER; and diabetes (DIABETES MELLITUS, TYPE 2).	Chronic Condition,Chronic Illness,Chronically Ill,Chronic Conditions,Chronic Diseases,Chronic Illnesses,Condition, Chronic,Disease, Chronic,Illness, Chronic
D006509	Hepatitis B	INFLAMMATION of the LIVER in humans caused by a member of the ORTHOHEPADNAVIRUS genus, HEPATITIS B VIRUS. It is primarily transmitted by parenteral exposure, such as transfusion of contaminated blood or blood products, but can also be transmitted via sexual or intimate personal contact.	Hepatitis B Virus Infection
D006526	Hepatitis C	INFLAMMATION of the LIVER in humans caused by HEPATITIS C VIRUS, a single-stranded RNA virus. Its incubation period is 30-90 days. Hepatitis C is transmitted primarily by contaminated blood parenterally and is often associated with transfusion and intravenous drug abuse. However, in a significant number of cases, the source of hepatitis C infection is unknown.	Hepatitis, Viral, Non-A, Non-B, Parenterally-Transmitted,Parenterally-Transmitted Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis,PT-NANBH,Parenterally Transmitted Non A, Non B Hepatitis
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000077190	Interferon alpha-2	Alpha interferon encoded by the human IFNA2 gene. Recombinant forms are used in the treatment of CHRONIC HEPATITIS B; CHRONIC HEPATITIS C; KAPOSI SARCOMA; MELANOMA; and HAIRY CELL LEUKEMIA.	IFN-alpha 2,IFN-alpha-2,IFNalpha-2b, Recombinant,Interferon alfa-2a,Interferon alfa-2b,Interferon alpha-2b, Recombinant,Interferon alpha-A,Interferon-alpha 2,Intron A (Interferon),LeIF A,Reaferon,Recombinant Interferon alpha-2a,Recombinant Interferon alpha-2b,Ro 22-8181,Roferon-A,Sch-30500,Viferon,IFNalpha 2b, Recombinant,Interferon alfa 2a,Interferon alfa 2b,Interferon alpha 2,Interferon alpha 2b, Recombinant,Interferon alpha A,Interferon alpha-2a, Recombinant,Recombinant IFNalpha-2b,Recombinant Interferon alpha 2a,Recombinant Interferon alpha 2b,Ro 22 8181,Ro 228181,Roferon A,RoferonA,Sch 30500,Sch30500
D000465	Algorithms	A procedure consisting of a sequence of algebraic formulas and/or logical steps to calculate or determine a given task.	Algorithm
D000998	Antiviral Agents	Agents used in the prophylaxis or therapy of VIRUS DISEASES. Some of the ways they may act include preventing viral replication by inhibiting viral DNA polymerase; binding to specific cell-surface receptors and inhibiting viral penetration or uncoating; inhibiting viral protein synthesis; or blocking late stages of virus assembly.	Antiviral,Antiviral Agent,Antiviral Drug,Antivirals,Antiviral Drugs,Agent, Antiviral,Agents, Antiviral,Drug, Antiviral,Drugs, Antiviral
D016896	Treatment Outcome	Evaluation undertaken to assess the results or consequences of management and procedures used in combating disease in order to determine the efficacy, effectiveness, safety, and practicability of these interventions in individual cases or series.	Rehabilitation Outcome,Treatment Effectiveness,Clinical Effectiveness,Clinical Efficacy,Patient-Relevant Outcome,Treatment Efficacy,Effectiveness, Clinical,Effectiveness, Treatment,Efficacy, Clinical,Efficacy, Treatment,Outcome, Patient-Relevant,Outcome, Rehabilitation,Outcome, Treatment,Outcomes, Patient-Relevant,Patient Relevant Outcome,Patient-Relevant Outcomes
D016898	Interferon-alpha	One of the type I interferons produced by peripheral blood leukocytes or lymphoblastoid cells. In addition to antiviral activity, it activates NATURAL KILLER CELLS and B-LYMPHOCYTES, and down-regulates VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR expression through PI-3 KINASE and MAPK KINASES signaling pathways.	Interferon Alfa,Interferon, Leukocyte,Interferon, Lymphoblast,alpha-Interferon,IFN-alpha D,IFN-alpha5,Interferon alpha-1,Interferon alpha-17,Interferon alpha-4,Interferon alpha-5,Interferon alpha-7,Interferon alpha-88,Interferon alpha-J,Interferon alpha-T,Interferon alpha4,Interferon alpha5,Interferon, Lymphoblastoid,Interferon, alpha,LeIF I,LeIF J,Leif D,IFN alpha D,IFN alpha5,Interferon alpha,Interferon alpha 1,Interferon alpha 17,Interferon alpha 4,Interferon alpha 5,Interferon alpha 7,Interferon alpha 88,Interferon alpha J,Interferon alpha T,Leukocyte Interferon,Lymphoblast Interferon,Lymphoblastoid Interferon,alpha Interferon