|
|
This article needs references that appear in reliable third-party publications. Primary sources or sources affiliated with the subject are generally not sufficient for a Wikipedia article. Please add more appropriate citations from reliable sources. (November 2008) |
Pegylated interferon alfa-2a (40 kDa; commercial name Pegasys) is an antiviral drug discovered at the pharmaceutical company F. Hoffmann-La Roche; it has a dual mode of action - both antiviral and on the immune system. The additon of polyethylene glycol to the interferon, through a process known as pegylation, enhances the half-life of the interferon when compared to its native form.
Uses
This drug is approved around the world for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (including patients with HIV co-infection, cirrhosis, 'normal' levels of ALT) and has recently been approved (in the EU, U.S., China and many other countries) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.
Peginterferon alfa-2a is a long acting interferon. Interferons are proteins released in the body in response to viral infections. Interferons are important for fighting viruses in the body, for regulating reproduction of cells, and for regulating the immune system.[citation needed]
Host genetic factors influencing treatment response
For genotype 1 hepatitis C treated with Pegylated interferon-alpha-2a or Pegylated interferon-alpha-2b (brand names Pegasys or PEG-Intron) combined with ribavirin, it has been shown genetic polymorphisms near the human IL28B gene, encoding interferon lambda 3, are associated with significant differences in response to the treatment. This finding, originally reported in Nature [1], showed genotype 1 hepatitis C patients carrying certain genetic variant alleles near the IL28B gene are more possibly to achieve sustained sustained virological response after the treatment than others. Later report from Nature [2] demonstrated the same genetic variants are also associated with the natural clearance of the genotype 1 hepatitis C virus.
See also
References
- ^ Ge D, Fellay J, Thompson AJ, et al. (2009). "Genetic variation in IL28B predicts hepatitis C treatment-induced viral clearance". Nature 461: 399-401. doi:10.1038/nature08309. PMID 19684573.
- ^ Thomas DL, Thio CL, Martin MP, et al. (2009). "Genetic variation in IL28B and spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus". Nature. doi:10.1038/nature08463. PMID 19759533.
External links
|
Cell signaling: cytokines |
|
| By family |
|
|
|
IL-1 superfamily
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IL-10 family
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IL-12 family
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Main
|
|
|
|
TNF (ligand) superfamily
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Other |
|
|
| By function |
|
|
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
