title: Pegylated interferon monotherapy for chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: Interferon (IFN) alpha-2a has been attached to a branched 40-kD PEG molecule and IFN alpha-2b to a linear 12-kD PEG molecule leading to elimination half-lives of approximately 75 and approximately 30 hours, respectively. In one pivotal trial, 531 patients with chronic hepatitis C were assigned to receive either 180 microg of pegylated IFN alpha-2a once weekly for 48 weeks or 3 x 6 mIU standard IFN for 12 weeks, followed by 3 x 3 mIU for 36 weeks. Sustained virological response rates were 39 and 19% for pegylated and standard IFN alpha-2a, respectively. In a second trial in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated cirrhosis and bridging fibrosis, sustained virological response rates were 8% (3 x 3 mIU IFN three times a week), 15% (90 microg PEG-IFN alpha-2a four times a week), and 30% (180 microg PEG-IFNalpha-2a four times a week). In a third trial, 1219 patients with chronic hepatitis C were randomly assigned to receive either standard IFN alpha-2b (3 x 3 mIU) or once weekly pegylated IFN alpha-2b (0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 microg/kg). Sustained virological response rates were highest in the 1.0 microg/kg dose and achieved 25% compared with 12% in the standard IFN group. In conclusion, each regimen of pegylated IFN given once weekly is more effective than a regimen of standard IFN given three times weekly.
authors.affiliation: Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. jenny.heathcote@utoronto.ca
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heathcote
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zeuzem
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a