Pharmacodynamics of peginterferon alpha-2a and peginterferon alpha-2b in interferon-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C: a randomized, controlled study.
BACKGROUND
Peginterferon alpha-2a and alpha-2b, the two commercially available pegylated interferons, have different pharmacokinetic properties that produce differing abilities to suppress replication of the hepatitis C virus.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the pharmacodynamics of peginterferon alpha-2a and peginterferon alpha-2b in interferon-naive patients with chronic hepatitis C.


METHODS
Patients were randomized to receive peginterferon alpha-2a, 180 microg (n = 10) or peginterferon alpha-2b 1.0 microg/kg (n = 12) once weekly. The enzymatic activity of 2'5'-oligoadenylate synthetase and levels of neopterin and beta(2)-microglobulin were measured at baseline and at 24, 48, 120 and 168 h.


RESULTS
Oligoadenylate synthetase activity and serum neopterin and beta(2)-microglobulin concentrations did not differ significantly between the two patient groups at any time point, nor was there a significant correlation between the serum area under the concentration-time curve of either peginterferon and the area under the concentration-time curve for 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase, neopterin and beta(2)-microglobulin. The area under the concentration-time curves calculated for these three markers did not correlate with body mass index stratified at <25 and >or=25 kg/m(2) for either peginterferon.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite pharmacokinetic differences between peginterferon alpha-2a and peginterferon alpha-2b, the pharmacodynamic profiles of the two formulations appear to be comparable.
Bruno
R
R
Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, IRCCS San Matteo Hospital, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy. r.bruno@smatteo.pv.it
Sacchi
P
P
Scagnolari
C
C
Torriani
F
F
Maiocchi
L
L
Patruno
S
S
Bellomi
F
F
Filice
G
G
Antonelli
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a