Interferon as an adjuvant for hepatitis B vaccination in non- and low-responder populations.

To determine the effect of interferon on the production of antibodies against hepatitis B virus, recombinant alpha-interferon was added only to the fifth vaccine injection in a non-responder group and to all three initial vaccine injections in a low-responder group. In the non-responder group, 27% of the hemodialysis patients, 7% of the renal transplant patients, and both medical staff members tested developed low serum concentrations of anti-HBs (less than 25 mU/ml). Whereas in the low-responder group 60% of the hemodialysis patients developed the same amount of antibodies as a placebo group of comparable patients (greater than or equal to 25 mU/ml), 78% of the renal transplant patients showed a 25% higher antibody concentration than a placebo group (half less than 25 mU/ml;half less than 50 mU/ml). According to these preliminary findings alpha-interferon may have an adjuvant effect on hepatitis B vaccination.