Viability of pegIFNα-RBV for CHC in the direct acting antiviral era: a practical algorithm between efficacy and cost containment.

The classical pegylated interferon α (peg-IFNα) and ribavirin (RBV) treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is progressively being replaced by new direct acting antivirals, whose costs remain a major barrier to widespread use. Using baseline data and viral kinetics, we developed a predictive algorithm to allocate to DAA patients who are not going to respond to peg-IFNα/RBV. This prospective study evaluated 205 CHC patients treated with peg-IFNα/RBV.

Differential antiviral effects of pegylated interferon-α2a and pegylated interferon-α2b in chronic hepatitis C.

Background And Objectives: Pegylated interferon (peg-IFN)-α2a and -α2b show different pharmacokinetic properties but are used interchangeably for hepatitis C treatment in traditional dual combinations and with newer agents. We assessed whether peg-IFN antiviral effects vary with peg-IFN subtype, affecting viral response in a differential manner.

Methods: Chronic hepatitis C patients treated with ribavirin combined with peg-IFN-α2a (N = 109) or -α2b (N = 114) were studied.