Modification of hepatitis B virus infection in chronic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen

US4140761A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health, Education and Welfare · US

Inventors

• John L. Gerin · Bethesda, US
• Hilton B. Levy · Bethesda, US
• Thomas C. Merigan · Portola Valley, US
• Robert H. Purcell · Boyds, US
• William Robinson · Vancouver, CA

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 11, 1977
• Grant date: Feb 20, 1979
• Expiry date: Apr 11, 1997

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61K38/21
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Interferon introduced parenterally in a human host or stimulated by an inducer (PICLC) for a period of greater than 21 days results in a major decrease in all markers of infectivity, such as DNA polymerase, and such markers remain at a depressed level during the period of treatment. Where PICLC is utilized to induce interferon in the host, a serum level of 50 units per milliliter or higher is necessary for effective clinical treatment and 17 .times. 10.sup.4 - 6.0 .times. 10.sup.3 U/kg/day is an effective dose for exogenous interferon. Especially long-term treatment with exogenous interferon of greater than 21 days and up to 14 months results in clinical improvement for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and this long-term treatment has resulted in sustained improvement even after cessation of treatment as well as resulting in a decrease in infectivity risk to others in close proximity to the infected human host. Such clinical improvement is marked by normalization of liver histology.