title: Peginterferon-alpha-2a (40 kD): A review of its use in chronic hepatitis B.
abstract: Peginterferon-alpha-2a (40 kD) [Pegasys] comprises an inert, branched, 40 kD polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety attached to interferon-alpha-2a. Subcutaneous peginterferon-alpha-2a (40 kD) is indicated for the treatment of adults with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive or -negative chronic hepatitis B who have compensated liver disease with evidence of viral replication and hepatic inflammation. Subcutaneous peginterferon-alpha-2a (40 kD) has antiviral and immunomodulatory properties and a convenient once-weekly administration schedule. Forty-eight weeks of therapy with peginterferon-alpha-2a (40 kD) with or without lamivudine was more effective than lamivudine alone in achieving a sustained response in patients with HBeAg-positive or -negative chronic hepatitis B. A long-term follow-up study in patients with HBeAg-positive disease who received peginterferon-alpha-2a (40 kD) monotherapy revealed an HBeAg seroconversion rate of 42%, 1 year after the end of treatment. A long-term follow-up study in patients with HBeAg-negative disease who received peginterferon-alpha-2a (40 kD) with or without lamivudine revealed hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance in 12% of patients and inactive chronic hepatitis B in 17% of patients, 5 years after the end of treatment. Various predictors of response may be useful in terms of identifying patients who may be candidates for shorter or longer peginterferon-alpha-2a (40 kD) treatment durations. For example, quantifying serum HBeAg (in HBeAg-positive disease) and HBsAg levels during therapy may be useful. Adverse events typical of the influenza-like symptoms seen with alpha-interferons occurred more frequently in patients with chronic hepatitis B receiving peginterferon-alpha-2a (40 kD) with or without lamivudine than in those receiving lamivudine alone. In conclusion, peginterferon-alpha-2a (40 kD) is a valuable option for the first-line treatment of HBeAg-negative or -positive chronic hepatitis B.
authors: Adis, a Wolters Kluwer Business, Auckland, New Zealand. demail@adis.co.nz
authors: Gillian M
authors: GM
authors: Keating
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018579:Patient Selection; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D004337:Drug Carriers; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D019259:Lamivudine; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a