Pegylated-IFNα2a for HIV/hepatitis C virus coinfected patients: out with the old, in with the new. (September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bichoupan, Kian; Dieterich, Douglas T
• Is Part Of: Expert opinion on biological therapy. Volume 14:Number 9(2014:Sep.)
• Page Start: 1369
• Page End: 1378
• Publication Date: 2014-09
• Subjects: Gene therapy -- Periodicals; Protein drugs -- Periodicals; Peptide drugs -- Periodicals; Immunotherapy -- Periodicals; Drug delivery systems -- Periodicals; 615.5
• DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2014.943180
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-2598

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p> <bold> <italic>Introduction:</italic> </bold> Liver disease is a major burden in patients co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV). From the time of its approval, <ext-link ext-link-type="uri" xlink:href="http://informahealthcare.com/action/doSearch?type=advanced&displaySummary=true&displaySummary=true&field1=keywords&text1=pegylated-IFNα-2a&logicalOpe1=OR&field2=articletitle&text2=pegylated-IFNα-2a&logicalOpe2=AND&field3=all&text3=&search=Search&categoryId=41010274&categoryId=40002416&categoryId=40004717&categoryId=40004717&filter=multiple&AfterMonth=1&AfterYear=&BeforeMonth=12&BeforeYear=&sortBy=date&nh=20" xlink:type="simple" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">pegylated-IFNα-2a</ext-link> (pegIFN-α2a) has played a major role in treatment of HCV in HIV/HCV co-infection.</p> <p> <bold> <italic>Areas covered:</italic> </bold> This article briefly summarizes the epidemiology of HCV/HIV co-infection, the pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic properties of pegIFN-α2a. Results from clinical trials investigating therapies containing pegIFN-α2a for HIV/HCV co-infected patients will be discussed with a focus on efficacy and safety.</p> <p> <bold> <italic>Expert opinion:</italic> </bold> PegIFN-α2a has improved rates of sustained virologic response for co-infected patients. In combination with direct-acting antivirals (DAA), the disparity between mono- and co-infected patients is beginning to disappear. For the first time, IFN-free regimens are available in clinical practice. It is unlikely that pegIFN-α2a will continue to be a critical component in treatments for HCV in the general co-infected population.</p> </abstract>