title: Peginterferon-alpha-2a (40kD): a review of its use in the management of patients with chronic hepatitis B.
abstract: Subcutaneous peginterferon-alpha-2a (40kD) [Pegasys] is an effective and reasonably well tolerated treatment for the management of patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative or -positive chronic hepatitis B. It was significantly more effective than lamivudine monotherapy at inducing sustained virological response and ALT normalisation in both HBeAg-negative and -positive patients. Notably, the addition of lamivudine to peginterferon-alpha-2a (40kD) conferred no additional benefit versus peginterferon-alpha-2a (40kD) monotherapy. Moreover, in HBeAg-positive patients significantly more peginterferon-alpha-2a (40kD) recipients experienced HBeAg seroconversion than lamivudine recipients. The position of peginterferon-alpha-2a (40kD) relative to other treatment options remains to be fully determined. In the meantime, this agent appears to be a valuable new option for the management of patients with HBeAg-negative or -positive chronic hepatitis B.
authors.affiliation: Adis International Limited, Auckland, New Zealand. demail@adis.co.nz
authors.forename: Gayle W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Robins
authors.forename: Lesley J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Gillian M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Keating
mesh_terms: D019468:Disease Management; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a