title: Controlled-release interferon alpha 2b, a new member of the interferon family for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Combination therapy with pegylated interferon alpha (Peg-interferon) and ribavirin is currently the cornerstone of antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C. Monotherapy with Peg-interferon still is important for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. With the advent of new therapies, protease inhibitors for chronic hepatitis C and nucleotide inhibitors for chronic hepatitis B, there remains a need for interferon-based therapies. The side effects of Peg-interferon are a main disadvantage and represent a stumbling block for many patients to enter and continue therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this review, the authors will discuss controlled-release interferon alpha 2b (CR2b) (Locteron®, Biolex Therapeutics, Pittsboro, NC, USA), a new slow-release interferon alpha 2b preparation for the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis. Other alternative interferons will also be discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CR2b is a slow-release microsphere preparation for the administration of plant-derived recombinant human interferon alpha 2b. Compared with Peg-interferon, treatment with CR2b shows less flu-like reactions and less depression, and is at least as effective as conventional Peg-interferon-based therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. CR2b has the added advantage of biweekly instead of once weekly administration. CR2b appears to cause more neutropenia than Peg-interferon alpha 2b. This may be due to higher trough serum levels of CR2b at the end of a dosing interval. The bone marrow effects of CR2b closely resemble those published for the registered Peg-interferon alpha 2a. CR2b appears to have at least comparable efficacy with fewer side effects than current registered Peg-interferons.
authors: Academic Medical Center, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. p.l.jansen@amc.uva.nl
authors: Peter L M
authors: PL
authors: Jansen
authors: Joep
authors: J
authors: De Bruijne
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D007372:Interferons / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C527994:locteron; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D007372:Interferons; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b