Pegylated interferons in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C.
OBJECTIVE
To review the efficacy and safety of pegylated interferons (peginterferons) in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C.


METHODS
An English language literature search (MEDLINE 1988 - 2001) was performed and a total of 19 original articles related to the issue were selected.


METHODS
After careful review of the selected papers, the meaningful results and conclusions were extracted using scientific criteria. The papers reviewed pertained mainly to the efficacy and safety profiles of peginterferons in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C.


RESULTS
Peginterferon can effectively prolong the half-life of interferon and can be effectively administered conveniently as a once-a-week dose. The antiviral effect using peginterferon was enhanced compared with that of standard interferon, but the frequency and severity of adverse events were typical of those associated with interferon-alpha.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on its efficacy, safety and convenient dosing, peginterferon is more favorable than standard interferon in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C.
Zhang
Fukui
F
Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100050, China. frankliver@yahoo.com.cn
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a