"Efficacy of interferon and Amantadin for treatment of hepatitis in major thalasemia at Children’s Medical Center, Tehran "

Abstract

Background: Major thalassemia is relatively common in Iran and in looking of their need to recurrent transfusion; their high risk for acquisition of HCV is revealed. These patients also suffer form liver hemosiderosis that accelerate disease excursion to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In this study combined therapy with interferon and amantadin has been evaluated. Methods: This prospective clinical trail has been done on thalasemic patients that had been contaminated by HCV and had laboratory signs of hepatitis. During years of 81-82, 26 patients admitted at Children Mmedical Center with major thalassemia and HCV hepatitis. Inclusion criteria were positive HCV-RNA, high ALT and histologic evidence of hepatitis in liver biopsy and exclusion criteria were history of incomplete treatment any contraindication of IFN or amantadin-emergence of drugs adverse reactions, to intending of these criteria 10 case of them had situation for treatment and follow-up. Results: In 10 cases, treatment with IFN  - 2b in doses 3 mu for every square meter of body surface three times in week subcutaneously and cap. Amantadin in doses 100 mg po B.d for 6 months was done and after it, 8 cases were negative for HCV-RNA (8%) and in 6 patients, ALT turned to normal (60%) and in 2 other case ALT decrease to lower than 50% of pretreatment value. None of them showed drug adverse reactions and response to therapy was better in lower ages. No relation between response to therapy and liver hemosiderosis, inflammation and sexuality was found. Conclusion: Combined therapy with IFN and Amantadin is effective in HCV treatment and for lower recurrence, treatment period longer than 24 wk, such as 48 wk is recommended

Keywords

• Amantadin