Recombinant human
interleukin 2 was administered to 10 patients with chronic type B
hepatitis as a part of a pilot study to evaluate its
antiviral activity. Patients received 1 to 3 x 10(5) units per day of
interleukin 2 for 21 to 28 days, and all completed the treatment schedule. During
therapy, serum values of
DNA polymerase decreased in 6 and became negative in four patients. However, when
therapy was discontinued,
DNA polymerase levels increased to pretreatment levels in most cases. Serum
HBeAg levels did not change during treatment. Serum
aminotransferase levels transiently increased in 6 of the 10 patients during
therapy; but once
therapy was stopped, levels fell markedly. Side effects of
interleukin 2 therapy included
fever,
chills,
anorexia and
fatigue. After 1 year of follow-up, three treated patients had lost
HBeAg and had marked improvement in
aminotransferase levels. These serologic and biochemical improvements occurred 1.5 to 11 months after
therapy was stopped. Whether a 3- to 4-week course of
interleukin 2 therapy leads to an increased rate of seroconversion from
HBeAg to antibody in chronic type B
hepatitis deserves further evaluation in prospectively randomized, controlled trials.