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Polyethylene glycol–interferon: Current status in hepatitis C virus therapy
Author(s) -
WEDEMEYER HEINER,
WIEGAND JOHANNES,
CORNBERG MARKUS,
MANNS MICHAEL P
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1746.17.s3.26.x
Subject(s) - ribavirin , medicine , interferon , alpha interferon , combination therapy , hepatitis c , hepatitis c virus , dosing , gastroenterology , pegylated interferon , immunology , polyethylene glycol , peg ratio , virus , viral load , finance , chemical engineering , economics , engineering
In chronic hepatitis C infection, combination therapy with interferon (IFN)‐α and ribavirin leads to sustained virological response rates of 40–45%. However, treatment outcome is still disappointing in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1, high viral load or advanced liver fibrosis. Due to significant side‐effects of therapy, dose reductions and discontinuations of therapy are frequent and lead to further decreased response rates. The development of modified IFN is the latest step to improve treatment options for chronic hepatitis C. Conjugation of the polymer polyethylene glycol (PEG) to IFN extends half‐life in comparison to conventional IFN and thereby increases antiviral activity. It allows once‐weekly dosing and increases sustained response rates without changing the safety profile. The PEG–IFN monotherapy is twice as effective as IFN‐α three times weekly. The combination of PEG‐interferon and ribavirin improves the overall sustained response rates to 54–56% and represents the new standard therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis C infection in most patients. © 2002 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd