Peginterferon Alfa-2a Is Superior to Peginterferon Alfa-2b in the Treatment of Naïve Patients with Hepatitis C Virus Infection: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

PEGIFN alfa-2a has superior efficacy with higher SVR as compared to PEGIFN alfa-2b in treatment-naïve HCV-infected patients. The safety profile of the two types of PEGIFN was similar.

Comparison of the Safety Profiles of Pegylated Interferon α-2a and α-2b Administered in Combination with Ribavirin for Chronic Hepatitis C Infection: A Real-World Retrospective Cohort Study

“…In contrast to prior clinical studies, this investigation reflected the treatment period and the patient age range present in real-world settings, and we included previously treated patients. 6,7,12,13) Ours is the first study focusing on the safety profiles of PEG-IFNs in a patient population with the variety of characteristics seen in actual clinical practice. As we have demonstrated that there is no significant difference in the safety profile of the two types of PEG-IFN when used in clinical practice, physicians can select the treatment regimen based on the predicted efficacy for each patient.…”

“…[9][10][11] Studies investigating differences in adverse events between PEG-IFN α-2a combined with ribavirin and PEG-IFN α-2b combined with ribavirin, including the safety outcomes of randomized clinical trials in Japan and other countries, as well as the pooled analysis of these studies, have suggested that there are no or few differences between the two treatments. 6,7,12,13) However, these studies were conducted in clinical trial settings, and until now there have been no studies carried out in Japan using a nationwide database compiled from real world settings. 14) In addition, most of the previous studies did not consider confounding variables and time to withdrawal from treatment due to adverse events in their analyses.…”

“…14) In addition, most of the previous studies did not consider confounding variables and time to withdrawal from treatment due to adverse events in their analyses. 6,7,12,13) To assess the safety profile of the two types of PEG-IFN accurately, it is crucial to include adjustments for these variables. Furthermore, the results may be affected not only by patient characteristics, but also by regional differences in treatment outcomes, a concern that has been identified by several previous studies as being worthy of future investigation.…”

Ophthalmological side effects of interferon therapy of chronic hepatitis C

“…While the reduced clearance of PEG IFN-α 2a, provides measurable therapeutic plasma levels even at the end of the weekly dosing period (28). These differences between the two types of PEG IFNs provide better compliance and more safety of PEG IFN-α 2a (29).…”

A Short Course of Triple Telaprevir-Based Antiviral Therapy: The Principles of Patients Selection

“…Значимость этого показателя определяется увеличением ве-роятности наступления рецидива после курса противовирусной терапии по мере прогрессиро-вания заболевания печени [16]. Этим обусловле-на бóльшая длительность терапии и отсутствие возможности редуцирования курса противови-русной терапии у пациентов с выраженным фи-брозом или циррозом печени вне зависимости от наличия других благоприятных предикторов излечения.…”