Interferon as treatment for viral hepatitis: a progress report.

Treatment of chronic hepatitis with interferon is in its infancy and it is likely that information that we learn today will markedly improve the treatment that is offered tomorrow. The limitations of interferon treatment at the present time are the lack of complete predictable responses in approximately half the patients and the relatively high relapse rates observed thus far. It is predicted that higher doses will result in better response and lower relapse rates, but this remains to be seen. The cost and the frequency of side effects will likely be significantly increased by escalation of dose, but the chance of eradicating an otherwise untreatable and not benign condition is tempting and will continue to challenge our best efforts.