title: Comparative trials of peginterferon α2a and peginterferon α2b for chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: Standard of care for patients with chronic hepatitis C is pegylated interferon (pegIFN) combined with ribavirin (Rbv). It results in persistent viral eradication and prevents the progression of liver disease and the associated complications in about 50% of treated patients. Currently, two PegIFNs are available that differ significantly in terms of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles as a consequence of different pegylation chemistries. While the registration trials of the two therapeutic regimens demonstrated the superiority of each PegIFN vs the native IFN α2b, the superiority of one regimen over the other in terms of treatment efficacy remains unknown. Retrospective cohort studies and randomized prospective head-to-head trials have attempted to resolve the considerable controversy over this issue and support evidence-based treatment decisions.
authors.affiliation: Hepatology Unit, San Giuseppe Hospital, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy. mariagrazia.rumi@unimi.it
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rumi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aghemo
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Prati
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006207:Half-Life; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a