• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제63권2호
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• pp.52-55
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• 2020

Background: Immunomodulatory properties of interferon (IFN) have been documented. It may induce autoimmune diseases such as autoimmune thyroiditis with hypo- or hyperthyroidism. In addition, it may impair thyroid hormone synthesis through affecting iodide organification in thyroid gland. Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe thyroid function tests disturbances in children with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) receiving pegylated interferon-alpha (PEG IFN-α) plus ribavirin. Methods: Fifty children with CHC virus infection who received combined pegylated interferon-alpha with ribavirin were selected. Other 50 apparently healthy children of matched age and sex (considered as control group) were selected. All children (100) were subject to liver function tests, virological studies, and follow-up of thyroid function test during and after the treatment course. Results: Our study showed that 28% of children received combined PEG IFN-α plus ribavirin showed subclinical hypothyroidism. After 24 weeks treatment with combined therapy of IFN plus ribavirin, the mean level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was 3.23±88 mU/mL, while TSH was 1.16±0.77 mU/mL before starting treatment. On the other hand, mean TSH was 1.09±0.92 mU/mL in normal control group. Conclusion: This study revealed an association between subclinical thyroid dysfunction and treatment with IFN-alpha and ribavirin in children. Further studies on larger number of patients and longer follow-up duration are recommended for further confirmation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권5호
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• pp.2485-2490
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• 2016

The liver is one of the most common sites of cancer in the world, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) predominating. HCC is the sixth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer related death overall. Hepatitis C is a major risk factor and HCV is a rapid spreading virus which has become a problem globally, including in Pakistan. Interferon alpha therapy is used against HCV disease to regulate cell reproduction and to boost the immune system. In minute amounts interferon alpha is produced naturally by the immune system in HCV patients in response to hepatitis C virus and binds to receptors in the target cells and starts transcription of 20-30 genes due to which it develops an antiviral influence. Interferon is also administered artificially to overcome HCV disease and remove the biological effect of the virus from the infected site. The use of interferon or Peg-IFN plus Ribavirin treatment is also associated with adverse effects on body. For the current study, a convenient sample of 156 HCV positive patients of both males and females were taken. To collect blood CP and ALT, a reduction of level data and other important information were collected from the patients at regular intervals. Findings were 11.4 % in the red blood cells (RBC), 9.64 % in the total leukocyte count (WBC), 8.4 % in the hemoglobin levels (HB), 30.3 % in the platelet (Plt) count in both sexes. There was significant reduction in ALT levels due to Pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy. Hence strict haemotological monitoring of blood CP and ALT levels is necessary at regular intervals to reduce severe side effects which may lead to morbidity and mortality.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권13호
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• pp.5515-5519
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• 2015

The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) ss469415590 in the interferon lambda-4 (IFNL4) gene has recently been reported to have an association with treatment response in chronic hepatitis C. However, any importance of the SNP in association with response to pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is unclear. We retrospectively analyzed data for Thai patients with CHB treated with PEG-IFN for 48 weeks. Virological response (VR) for HBeAg-positive CHB was defined as HBeAg seroconversion plus HBV DNA level <2,000 IU/mL at 24 weeks post-treatment. VR for HBeAg-negative CHB was defined as an HBV DNA level <2,000 IU/mL at 48 weeks. The SNP was identified by real time PCR using the TaqMan genotyping assay with MGB probes. A total 254 patients (107 HBeAg-positive and 147 HBeAg-negative) were enrolled in the study. The distribution of TT/TT, ${\Delta}G/TT$ and ${\Delta}G/{\Delta}G$ genotypes was 221 (87.0%), 32 (12.6%) and 1 (0.4%), respectively. Patients with non-TT/TT genotypes had significantly higher baseline HBV DNA levels than patients with the TT/TT genotype. In HBeAg-positive CHB, 41.2% of patients with TT/TT genotype versus 50.0% with non-TT/TT genotype achieved VR (P=0.593). In HBeAg-negative CHB, the corresponding figures were 40.3% and 43.5%, respectively (P=0.777). There was no significant correlation between the SNP genotypes and HBsAg clearance in both groups of patients. In summary, ss469415590 genotypes were not associated with response to PEG-IFN in Thai patients with HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative CHB.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제70권1호
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• pp.69-73
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• 2011

The combination therapy of pegylated interferon and ribavirin is the mainstay of treatment for chronic hepatitis C patients. Anti-viral therapy is commonly associated with side effects such as headache, fever, myalgia, and arthralgia. However, anti-viral therapy can continue because these side effects are mostly mild and can be improved with supportive management. Anti-viral therapy should be stopped promptly if serious side effects, such as interstitial pneumonitis or hemolytic anemia occur, although those serious side effects are rare. There were a few case reports of interferon-related interstitial pneumonitis worldwide. In Korea, one atypical case report of interstitial pneumonitis has been reported, which followed the combination therapy of interferon-alpha and ribavirin in a patient with chronic hepatitis C. We present a case of interstitial pneumonitis and pancytopenia following the combination therapy of pegylated interferon and ribavirin in a patient with chronic hepatitis C.

• 대한약학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한약학회 2002년도 Proceedings of the Convention of the Pharmaceutical Society of Korea Vol.2
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• pp.424.1-424.1
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• 2002

Interferon has therapeutic potential for a wide range of infectious and proliferative disorders such as chronic hepatitis C and malignant melanoma. However. it has some therapeutic problems as other protein therapeutics do. A variety of approaches have been developed to circumvent these problems. Among them. the attachment of a polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety 10 interferon is considered as one of the most promising solutions for its ability of extending the plasma residence time. (omitted)

• 대한약학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한약학회 2002년도 Proceedings of the Convention of the Pharmaceutical Society of Korea Vol.2
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• pp.418.1-418.1
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• 2002

Recombinant interferon alpha is widely used for the treatment of diseases including chronic hepatitis C. However. it has drawbacks such as relatively short serum half-life and rapid clearance like other therapeutic proteins. Using PFGylFltioo which is one of the well-established methods to fulfill the requirements of a long-lasting form of protein. wIe prepared mono-PEG modified interferon alpha-2a in which polyethylene glycol moiety was covalently attached to the amino groups of interfelon alpha-2a. (omitted)

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.137-142
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• 2008

목 적: 인터페론은 소아 만성 B형 간염의 치료에 널리 쓰이고 있으나 50% 이상의 환자에서 인터페론 치료에 반응이 없어 추가적인 다른 치료가 필요하다. 라미부딘은 B형 간염 바이러스 복제의 억제제로 B형 간염 치료제로 널리 쓰이고 있으나, 인터페론 치료에 반응이 없었던 B형 간염 환자에 대한 라미부딘의 치료 효과에 대한 연구가 많지 않다. 방 법: 2000년 1월부터 2007년 12월까지 부산대학교병원 소아청소년과에서 만성 B형 간염으로 진단되어 인터페론(interferon ${\alpha}$-2b, 10 $MU/m^2$ 또는 pegylated interferon $1.5{\mu}g/kg$)으로 6개월 간 치료를 받은 33명 중 치료에 반응이 없어 치료 종결 후 6~12개월 뒤부터 라미부딘(3 mg/kg/일, 최고 100 mg/일)으로 치료를 한 8명(남 6명, 여 2명)을 대상으로 라미부딘의 치료 효과를 분석하였다. 임상적 소견에 대해 의무기록지를 후향적으로 검토하였다. 결 과: 인터페론 치료 시작 시 나이는 4.9${\pm}$3.1세, 라미부딘 치료 시작 시 나이는 6.1${\pm}$3.2세였다. 인터페론 치료 전 혈청 ALT는 148.1${\pm}$105.8 IU/L였고, HBV-DNA PCR log값은 6.95${\pm}$0.70 copies/mL였다. 인터페론 치료 후 ALT는 143.1${\pm}$90.4 IU/L였고, DNA PCR log값은 6.46${\pm}$2.08 copies/mL로 치료 전과 차이가 없었고(p> 0.05), 2명에서 HBeAg 음전이 있었다. 모든 환자에서 라미부딘 치료 후 7.4${\pm}$2.1개월에 ALT가 정상화되고, 이미 HBeAg이 음전된 2명을 제외한 6명에서 7.9${\pm}$2.1개월에 HBeAg 혈청전환이 있었다. HBV DNA는 2.4${\pm}$2.8개월에 7명(87.5%)에서 음성화되었다. 2명은 라미부딘치료 종결 후 3년 이상 재발이 없으며, 5명은 완전 반응상태로 24.4${\pm}$9.1개월간 복용 중이다. 1명은 12개월간 라미부딘을 복용하여 혈청 ALT가 정상화되고 HBeAg 혈청전환이 있었으나 바이러스 돌파현상이 발생하여 치료를 중단하였다. 결 론: 연구 대상 환자 수가 적었지만 인터페론 치료에 반응이 없었던 만성 B형 간염 환자에서 라미부딘의 치료는 매우 효과적이었다.

• 한국독성학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국독성학회 2003년도 추계학술대회
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• pp.87-88
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• 2003

PegIntron is the pegylated form of human recombinant interferon alfa-2b (IFN${\alpha}$2b). IFN ${\alpha}$2b, known as Intron A, has been in approved clinical use since the 1980's for various cancer indications, and for the treatment of Hepatitis C. In the mid 1990's, several clinical investigators reported that combination therapy with ribavirin and Intron A dramatically increased the therapeutic efficacy for treatment of Hepatitis C.(omitted)

• 대한약학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한약학회 2001년도 Proceedings of International Convention of the Pharmaceutical Society of Korea
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• pp.286.1-286.1
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• 2001

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.1979-1985
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• 2016

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine has been highly appreciated as a supportive regimen for classical treatment strategies. Here we offer a nutrition-based adjuvant therapy for liver fibrosis, a major risk factor for cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Aim of the study: To evaluate the possible hepatoprotective effects of Jerusalem artichoke tubers (JAT) in combination with interferon and ribavirin. Materials and Methods: Twelve groups of rats were administered JAT, interferon and ribavirin either separately or in combination from day one of $CCL_4$ administration until the end of the study. Animals were killed after 8 weeks of $CCL_4$-induced hepatotoxicity. Results: Hepatocytes from rats treated with triple combination of interferon, ribavirin, and JAT showed more less normal architecture compared to $CCL_4$-treated rats. We also detected significantly higher hepatic protein expression levels of p53, BAX and transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ (TGF-${\beta}$) in the $CCL_4$-intoxicated group compared to normal controls, as evidenced by immunohistochemical staining and western blotting analyses. Addition of JAT as a supportive regimen improved response to ribavirin and interferon and effectively participated in retaining normal histopathological and biochemical criteria and significantly lowered protein expression of p53, BAX, and TGF-${\beta}$. Conclusions: We suggest that addition of JAT as a supportive r egimen to interferon and ribavirin effectively potentiates their anti-fibrotic effects.