Pegylated interferon alpha 2a for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection

Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol. 2018 Feb;14(2):219-227. doi: 10.1080/17425255.2018.1421173. Epub 2018 Jan 2.

Abstract

Treatments for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have advanced rapidly in the last decade. Pegylated interferon alpha 2a (PEG-IFN alpha 2a) alone, in combination with ribavirin and with or without direct acting antivirals (DAAs) is modestly effective in the treatment of chronic HCV infection. Areas covered: The review describes the chemistry, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, clinical efficacy, safety and drug-drug interaction profiles of PEG-IFN alpha 2a. Expert opinion: Despite the availability of DAAs and its formidable toxicity profile, PEG-IFN alpha 2a retains a role for the treatment of acute HCV and chronic HCV infection in resource limited settings and for end-stage renal disease patients and others who cannot access DAAs or are DAA-ineligible. Knowledge of pharmacogenetic profiles which favor successful treatment outcomes with IFN-based therapies may allow for selection of best candidates for the regimen.

Keywords: Hepatitis C; direct acting antivirals; pegylated interferon alpha 2a; ribavirin; sofosbuvir.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antiviral Agents / adverse effects
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Drug Interactions
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Hepacivirus / drug effects
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / virology
  • Humans
  • Interferon-alpha / administration & dosage*
  • Interferon-alpha / adverse effects
  • Interferon-alpha / pharmacokinetics
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / physiopathology
  • Patient Selection
  • Pharmacogenetics
  • Polyethylene Glycols / administration & dosage*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / adverse effects
  • Polyethylene Glycols / pharmacokinetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Recombinant Proteins / adverse effects
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacokinetics
  • Ribavirin / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Ribavirin
  • peginterferon alfa-2a