Effects of suramin on in vitro HBsAg production by PLC/PRF/5 cells and hepatitis B virus DNA polymerase activity.

The effects of suramin, an antiparasitic agent, upon in vitro hepatitis B surface antigen production by the human hepatoma cell line PLC/PRF/5 and hepatitis B virus associated DNA polymerase activity in the serum of a chronically infected patient were examined. Treatment with suramin resulted in decreases in hepatitis B surface antigen production and hepatitis B-virus associated DNA polymerase activity. The decrease in hepatitis B surface antigen production was paralleled by a general decrease in hepatoma cell viability and cellular protein synthesis. Although the inhibitory effects of suramin for hepatitis B virus appear to be nonspecific as demonstrated in these two in vitro systems, the recently announced trial of suramin for the treatment of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome should afford an unusual opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of suramin in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infection.