title: A Bayesian Approach for Population Pharmacokinetic Modeling of Pegylated Interferon α-2a in Hepatitis C Patients.
abstract: Pegylated interferon α-2a (PEG-IFN-α-2a) is an antiviral drug used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This study describes the population pharmacokinetics of PEG-IFN-α-2a in hepatitis C patients using a Bayesian approach. A possible association between patient characteristics and pharmacokinetic parameters is also explored.
  
  
  
  A Bayesian population pharmacokinetic modeling approach, using WinBUGS version 1.4.3, was applied to a cohort of patients (n = 292) with chronic HCV infection. Data were obtained from two phase III studies sponsored by Hoffmann-La Roche. Demographic and clinical information were evaluated as possible predictors of pharmacokinetic parameters during model development.
  
  
  
  A one-compartment model with an additive error best fitted the data, and a total of 2271 PEG-IFN-α-2a measurements from 292 subjects were analyzed using the proposed population pharmacokinetic model. Sex was identified as a predictor of PEG-IFN-α-2a clearance, and hemoglobin baseline level was identified as a predictor of PEG-IFN-α-2a volume of distribution.
  
  
  
  A population pharmacokinetic model of PEG-IFN-α-2a in patients with chronic HCV infection was presented in this study. The proposed model can be used to optimize PEG-IFN-α-2a dosing in patients with chronic HCV infection. Optimal PEG-IFN-α-2a selection is important to maximize response and/or to avoid potential side effects such as thrombocytopenia and neutropenia.
  
  
  
  NV15942 and NV15801.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan. moh.saleh@ju.edu.jo.
authors.forename: Mohammad I
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6382-4774
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Saleh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006454:Hemoglobins; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a