Author: Keating, Gillian M.

Source: Drugs, Volume 69, Number 18, 24 December 2009 , pp. 2633-2660(28)

Publisher: Adis International

Abstract:

Abstract Peginterferon-α-2a (40 kD) [Pegasys®] comprises an inert, branched, 40 kD polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety attached to interferon-α-2a. Subcutaneous peginterferon-α-2a (40 kD) is indicated for the treatment of adults with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive or -negative chronic hepatitis B who have compensated liver disease with evidence of viral replication and hepatic inflammation.

Subcutaneous peginterferon-α-2a (40 kD) has antiviral and immunomodulatory properties and a convenient once-weekly administration schedule. Forty-eight weeks of therapy with peginterferon-α-2a (40 kD) with or without lamivudine was more effective than lamivudine alone in achieving a sustained response in patients with HBeAg-positive or -negative chronic hepatitis B. A long-term follow-up study in patients with HBeAg-positive disease who received peginterferon-α-2a (40 kD) monotherapy revealed an HBeAg seroconversion rate of 42%, 1 year after the end of treatment. A long-term follow-up study in patients with HBeAg-negative disease who received peginterferon-α-2a (40 kD) with or without lamivudine revealed hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance in 12% of patients and inactive chronic hepatitis B in 17% of patients, 5 years after the end of treatment. Various predictors of response may be useful in terms of identifying patients who may be candidates for shorter or longer peginterferon-α-2a (40 kD) treatment durations. For example, quantifying serum HBeAg (in HBeAg-positive disease) and HBsAg levels during therapy may be useful. Adverse events typical of the influenza-like symptoms seen with α-interferons occurred more frequently in patients with chronic hepatitis B receiving peginterferon-α-2a (40 kD) with or without lamivudine than in those receiving lamivudine alone. In conclusion, peginterferon-α-2a (40 kD) is a valuable option for the first-line treatment of HBeAg-negative or -positive chronic hepatitis B.

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Adis, a Wolters Kluwer Business, Auckland, New Zealand

Publication date: 2009-12-24

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