title: Use of peginterferon alfa-2a (40 KD) (Pegasys) for the treatment of hepatitis C.
abstract: Thrice-weekly interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin has been the standard of care for chronic hepatitis C; however, a majority of patients fail to achieve a sustained virological response with this treatment. Peginterferon alfa-2a (40 KD), interferon alfa-2a conjugated to a 40 kDa branched polyethylene glycol moiety, exhibits sustained absorption and reduced renal clearance, resulting in antiviral pressure throughout a once-weekly dosing schedule. Peginterferon alfa-2a (40 KD) has superior virological efficacy to interferon alfa-2a, and elicits histological improvements in patients with and without sustained virological response. Peginterferon alfa-2a (40 KD) is effective in patients infected with viral genotype 1 and those with liver cirrhosis. Viral RNA measurements at 12 weeks can be used to predict the probability of achieving sustained virological response to peginterferon alfa-2a (40 KD) therapy. Peginterferon alfa-2a (40 KD) has comparable safety to interferon alfa-2a. The addition of ribavirin to peginterferon alfa-2a (40 KD) further enhances the therapeutic benefit for patients with hepatitis C.
authors.affiliation: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. rajender.reddy@uphs.upenn.edu
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rajender Reddy
authors.forename: Marlene W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Modi
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pedder
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a