Leucocyte interferon-alpha for patients with chronic hepatitis C intolerant to other alpha-interferons.

Background: Alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN) is the treatment of choice for chronic hepatitis C but most patients experience adverse effects which sometimes lead to the suspension of therapy. Recently, higher doses of alpha-IFN or prolonged therapy have increased the number of cases of intolerance.

Study Design: In this open study we evaluated the efficacy and safety of leucocyte interferon-alpha (IFNalpha) [6MU three times a week] in 43 patients with chronic hepatitis C who had been intolerant to previous treatment courses with recombinant or lymphoblastoid IFNalpha.