title: Interferon-lambda and therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus infection.
abstract: Interferon (IFN)-α, a type-I IFN, is widely used to treat chronic hepatitis C virus infection, but the broad expression of IFN-α receptors often leads to adverse reactions in many organs. Here, we examine IFN-λ, a type-III IFN, as a therapeutic alternative to IFN-α. Like IFN-α, IFN-λ also induces antiviral activity in hepatocytes, but might induce fewer adverse reactions because its receptor is largely restricted to cells of epithelial origin. We also discuss the recent discovery of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near the human IFN-λ3 gene, IL28B, that correlate strongly with the ability to achieve a sustained virological response to therapy with pegylated IFN-α plus ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
authors.affiliation: Division of Therapeutic Proteins, Center for Drug Evaluation & Research, Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. Raymond.Donnelly@fda.hhs.gov
authors.forename: Raymond P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Donnelly
authors.forename: Harold
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dickensheets
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: O'Brien
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002888:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007372:Interferons; D007378:Interleukins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000276:immunology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load / Q000187:drug effects; D000095022:Interferon Lambda
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007372:Interferons; D007378:Interleukins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin; D014157:Transcription Factors; C000624353:interferon-lambda, human; D000095022:Interferon Lambda; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a