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

Elisabetta Degasperi1, Mauro Viganò, Alessio Aghemo

  • 1Department of Medicine, A M Migliavacca Center for Liver Diseases and First Division of Gastroenterology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.

Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy
|May 1, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Pegylated interferon alfa-2a (PegIFN-α2a) is a cornerstone for treating chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) infections, offering sustained viral response and preventing disease progression.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) are progressive liver diseases that can lead to cirrhosis and liver transplantation.
  • Persistent viral suppression or eradication is crucial for managing these infections and preventing disease advancement.
  • Interferon alfa (IFN-α) has been a foundational treatment for HBV and HCV for over three decades.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the role and efficacy of Pegylated interferon alfa-2a (PegIFN-α2a) in the management of chronic HBV and HCV infections.
  • To highlight the advancements in treatment regimens and future directions in antiviral therapy for liver diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Review of the established role of IFN-α and its pegylated form, PegIFN-α2a, in HBV and HCV treatment protocols.
  • Analysis of PegIFN-α2a's efficacy in achieving sustained virological response and HBsAg seroconversion.
  • Consideration of the evolving landscape of antiviral therapies, including direct-acting antivirals (DAAs).

Main Results:

  • PegIFN-α2a has significantly improved treatment efficacy and administration schedules for both HBV and HCV over the past decade.
  • Finite-duration PegIFN-α2a therapy can lead to sustained virological response and HBsAg seroconversion in treated patients.
  • PegIFN-α2a remains a key component of standard-of-care regimens for HCV and HBV.

Conclusions:

  • PegIFN-α2a continues to be a vital treatment option for chronic HBV and HCV, offering significant clinical benefits.
  • While DAAs are emerging, PegIFN-α2a is expected to remain central to HCV treatment in the near future.
  • Ongoing research focuses on developing novel, all-oral regimens to potentially replace PegIFN-α in HCV treatment.

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