Journal
ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY REVIEWS
Volume 54, Issue 4, Pages 571-586Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/S0169-409X(02)00028-5
Keywords
hepatitis C virus; chronic hepatitis C; interferon; ribavirin; polyethylene glycol; pegylated interferon; peginterferon alfa-2a (40 KD); viral hepatitis
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Thrice-weekly interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin has been the standard of care for chronic hepatitis C; however, a majority of patients fail to achieve a sustained virological response with this treatment. Peginterferon alfa-2a (40 KD), interferon alfa-2a conjugated to a 40 kDa branched polyethylene glycol moiety, exhibits sustained absorption and reduced renal clearance, resulting in antiviral pressure throughout a once-weekly dosing schedule. Peginterferon alfa-2a (40 KD) has superior virological efficacy to interferon alfa-2a, and elicits histological improvements in patients with and without sustained virological response. Peginterferon alfa-2a (40 KD) is effective in patients infected with viral genotype I and those with liver cirrhosis. Viral RNA measurements at 12 weeks can be used to predict the probability of achieving sustained virological response to peginterferon alfa-2a (40 KD) therapy. Peginterferon alfa-2a (40 KD) has comparable safety to interferon alfa-2a. The addition of ribavirin to peginterferon alfa-2a (40 KD) further enhances the therapeutic benefit for patients with hepatitis C. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
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