title: Drug evaluation: Albuferon-alpha--an antiviral interferon-alpha/albumin fusion protein.
abstract: Human Genome Sciences Inc (HGS), in collaboration with Novartis AG, is developing Albuferon-alpha, a long-acting injectable human interferon alpha2b fusion protein, for the potential treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. By May 2004, phase II clinical trials of Albuferon in HCV infection were underway. In June 2006, HGS planned to initiate phase III clinical trials in this indication by the end of 2006. Albuferon also has the potential to treat a broad range of cancers.
authors.affiliation: University of Connecticut Health Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Farmington, CT 06030-1845, USA.
authors.forename: Annie T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Chemmanur
authors.forename: George Y
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D016174:Hepacivirus; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000075462:Serum Albumin, Human
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012709:Serum Albumin; C473631:albuferon; D000075462:Serum Albumin, Human