title: Pegylated-IFNα2a for HIV/hepatitis C virus coinfected patients: out with the old, in with the new.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Liver disease is a major burden in patients co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV). From the time of its approval, pegylated-IFNα-2a (pegIFN-α2a) has played a major role in treatment of HCV in HIV/HCV co-infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article briefly summarizes the epidemiology of HCV/HIV co-infection, the pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic properties of pegIFN-α2a. Results from clinical trials investigating therapies containing pegIFN-α2a for HIV/HCV co-infected patients will be discussed with a focus on efficacy and safety.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PegIFN-α2a has improved rates of sustained virologic response for co-infected patients. In combination with direct-acting antivirals (DAA), the disparity between mono- and co-infected patients is beginning to disappear. For the first time, IFN-free regimens are available in clinical practice. It is unlikely that pegIFN-α2a will continue to be a critical component in treatments for HCV in the general co-infected population.
authors.affiliation: Icahn School of Medicine , New York, NY , USA.
authors.forename: Kian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bichoupan
authors.forename: Douglas T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Dieterich
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D060085:Coinfection / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a
keywords: HIV; direct-acting antivirals; hepatitis C virus; pegylated-IFNα-2a