PegIFN-α2a for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and C: a 10-year history

• Published in: Expert review of anti-infective therapy Vol. 11; no. 5; pp. 459 - 474
• Main Authors: Degasperi, Elisabetta, Viganò, Mauro, Aghemo, Alessio, Lampertico, Pietro, Colombo, Massimo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 01.05.2013
• Subjects: Antiviral Agents - therapeutic use; antiviral therapy; boceprevir; DNA, Viral - antagonists & inhibitors; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Therapy, Combination; HBV; HCV; Hepacivirus - drug effects; Hepacivirus - physiology; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens - blood; Hepatitis B virus - drug effects; Hepatitis B virus - physiology; Hepatitis B, Chronic - drug therapy; Hepatitis B, Chronic - immunology; Hepatitis B, Chronic - virology; Hepatitis C, Chronic - drug therapy; Hepatitis C, Chronic - immunology; Hepatitis C, Chronic - virology; Humans; Interferon-alpha - therapeutic use; nucleos(t)ide analogs; PegIFN-α2a; Polyethylene Glycols - therapeutic use; Recombinant Proteins - therapeutic use; Ribavirin - therapeutic use; telaprevir; Treatment Outcome; Viral Load - drug effects

Chronic HBV and HCV are progressive diseases leading to cirrhosis and liver transplantation. Persistent viral eradication or suppression can positively affect the natural course of the infection, by preventing disease progression. Since its introduction more than 30 years ago, IFN-α has represented...