Albinterferon alpha-2b: a genetic fusion protein for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C.
Treatment regimens based on the use of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) remain the cornerstone of therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus infection, which affects nearly 170 million people worldwide. Treatment options include unmodified IFN-alpha given three times weekly or pegylated IFNs given once weekly. The albumin-fusion platform takes advantage of the long half-life of human albumin to provide a new treatment approach that allows the dosing frequency of IFN-alpha to be reduced in individuals with chronic hepatitis C. Albinterferon alpha-2b (alb-IFN), a recombinant polypeptide composed of IFN-alpha2b genetically fused to human albumin, has an extended half-life and early evidence indicates that it is efficacious and well tolerated. Pharmacodynamic modeling supports treatment with alb-IFN at 2- or 4-week intervals. Phase 3 registration trials are in progress. The albumin-fusion platform is currently being applied to other important bioactive peptides with short half-lives. These fusion proteins, which are at present in different phases of clinical development, might lead to improved therapies across a broad range of diseases.
Human Genome Sciences, Inc., 14200 Shady Grove Road, Rockville, Maryland 21042, USA. Mani_Subramanian@hgsi.com
G Mani
GM
Subramanian
Michele
M
Fiscella
Araba
A
Lamousé-Smith
Stefan
S
Zeuzem
John G
JG
McHutchison
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000639:trends*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D015195:Drug Design; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008954:Models, Biological; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins