Comparative efficacy of adenine arabinoside 5' monophosphate and prednisone withdrawal followed by adenine arabinoside 5' monophosphate in the treatment of chronic active hepatitis type B.

Abstract

Thirty-eight patients with chronic active hepatitis type B received antiviral therapy. In one trial, 22 patients were randomized to either no treatment or treatment with a 28-day cycle of adenine arabinoside 5' monophosphate (ARA-AMP); in a second trial, 13 patients were randomized to no treatment or treatment with two 28-day cycles of ARA-AMP separated by a 4-wk rest interval; during a third trial, 11 individuals were treated with 8 wk of prednisone therapy followed by 28 days of ARA-AMP therapy. The response rate (73%) to the regimen with prednisone was significantly greater than that achieved in the first or second trial (0% and 15%, respectively). The data indicate that the combination of short-term prednisone and ARA-AMP therapy may offer more promise for successful treatment of chronic active hepatitis type B than does ARA-AMP alone. Synergism may possibly occur by the combined effects of immune rebound provided by corticosteroid withdrawal and the inhibition of viral proliferation by ARA-AMP.

• Authors: R P Perrillo, F G Regenstein, C J Bodicky, C R Campbell, G E Sanders, Y C Sunwoo
• Journal: Gastroenterology (Gastroenterology) Vol. 88 Issue 3 Pg. 780-6 (Mar 1985) ISSN: 0016-5085 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2578421 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Arabinonucleotides
• Vidarabine Phosphate
• Prednisone

Topics

• Adult
• Arabinonucleotides (therapeutic use)
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Drug Synergism
• Female
• Hepatitis B (drug therapy)
• Hepatitis, Chronic (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prednisone (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Vidarabine Phosphate (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)