This section offers helpful sources for healthcare professionals who are seeking further information on hepatitis C and its treatment.
PEGASYS, alone or in combination with COPEGUS, is indicated for the treatment of adults with chronic hepatitis C virus infection who have compensated liver disease and have not been previously treated with interferon alpha. Patients in whom efficacy was demonstrated included patients with compensated liver disease and histological evidence of cirrhosis (Child-Pugh class A) and patients with HIV disease that is clinically stable (eg, antiretroviral therapy not required or receiving stable antiretroviral therapy).
PEGASYS is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with HBeAg positive and HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B who have compensated liver disease and evidence of viral replication and liver inflammation.
Article Reprints
FRIED MW, et al. Peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C virus infection. N Engl J Med. 2002;347(13):975-982.
STUDY DESIGN:
Randomized, controlled, worldwide trial compared PEGASYS 180 mcg/wk plus weight-based ribavirin (1000 or 1200 mg) and interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin with PEGASYS treatment alone (N=1121)
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HEATHCOTE EJ, et al. Peginterferon alfa-2a in patients with chronic hepatitis C and cirrhosis. N Engl J Med. 2000;343(23):1673-1680.
STUDY DESIGN:
Open-label, randomized, parallel-dose study examined the efficacy and safety of PEGASYS 90 or 180 mcg/wk, in patients with HCV-related cirrhosis or bridging fibrosis (N=271)
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JEFFERS LJ, et al. Peginterferon alfa-2a (40 kd) and ribavirin for black American patients with chronic HCV genotype 1. Hepatology. 2004;39(6):1702-1708.
STUDY DESIGN:
Open-label, noncomparative, multicenter study assessed the SVR rates of PEGASYS 180 mcg/wk plus ribavirin (1000 or 1200 mg/d) in HCV genotype 1 black patients (N=106)
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LAU GKK, et al. Peginterferon alfa-2a, lamivudine, and the combination for HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B. N Engl J Med. 2005;352(26):2682-2695.
STUDY DESIGN:
Multicenter, randomized, partially double-blind, 48-week study compared the efficacy and safety of PEGASYS 180 mcg/wk plus lamivudine (100 mg/d), PEGASYS monotherapy, and lamivudine alone in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (N=814). Patients were followed for an additional 24 weeks.
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MARCELLIN P, et al. Peginterferon alfa-2a alone, lamivudine alone, and the two in combination in patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B. N Engl J Med. 2004;351(12):1206-1217.
STUDY DESIGN:
Multicenter, randomized, partially double-blinded, 48-week study compared efficacy and safety of PEGASYS 180 mcg/wk monotherapy, PEGASYS plus lamivudine (100 mg/d), and lamivudine alone (N=537). Patients were followed for an additional 24 weeks.
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POCKROS PJ, et al. Efficacy and safety of two-dose regimens of peginterferon alpha-2a compared with interferon alpha-2a in chronic hepatitis C: a multicenter, randomized controlled trial. Gastroenterology. 2000;343(23):1673-1680.
STUDY DESIGN:
Multicenter, randomized, controlled trial compared the efficacy and safety of PEGASYS 135 or 180 mcg/wk and interferon alpha-2a in patients with chronic hepatitis C (N=639)
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SHIFFMAN ML, et al; for the ACCELERATE Investigators. Peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin for 16 or 24 weeks in HCV genotype 2 or 3. N Engl J Med. 2007;357(12):124-134.
STUDY DESIGN:
Randomized, multinational, noninferiority trial evaluated whether similar efficacy could be achieved with 24 or 16 weeks of PEGASYS 180 mcg/wk plus ribavirin 800 mg/d in HCV genotype 2 or 3 patients (N=1469)
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ZEUZEM S, et al. Peginterferon alfa-2a in patients with chronic hepatitis C. N Engl J Med. 2000;343(23):1666-1672.
STUDY DESIGN:
Open-label, parallel-dose, randomized trial compared the clinical effects of PEGASYS 180 mcg/wk to standard interferon 6 million units 3 times a week for 12 weeks, followed by 3 million units 3 times a week for 36 weeks (N=531)
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Please contact your PEGASYS Sales Specialist to obtain a copy of the following articles:
CONJEEVARAM HS, et al. Peginterferon and ribavirin treatment in African American and Caucasian American patients with hepatitis C genotype 1. Gastroenterology. 2006;131(2):470-477.
STUDY DESIGN:
Multicenter treatment trial compared PEGASYS 180 mcg/wk plus ribavirin (1000-1200 mg/d) in African American and Caucasian American treatment-naïve HCV genotype 1 patients (N=401)
HADZIYANNIS SJ, et al. Peginterferon-a2a and ribavirin combination therapy in chronic hepatitis C: a randomized study of treatment duration and ribavirin dose. Ann Intern Med. 2004;140(5):346-355.
STUDY DESIGN:
Randomized, double-blind trial compared 24 or 48 weeks of treatment with PEGASYS 180 mcg/wk plus a low (800 mg/d) or standard dose (1000 or 1200 mg/d) of ribavirin (N=1311)
RODRIGUEZ-TORRES M, et al. Peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin in Latino and non-Latino whites with hepatitis C. N Engl J Med. 2009;360(3):257-267.
STUDY DESIGN:
Multicenter, open-label, nonrandomized, prospective study investigated the effect of Latino ethnic background on the response to treatment.
TORRIANI FJ, et al. Peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C virus infection in HIV-infected patients. N Engl J Med. 2004;351(5):438-450.
STUDY DESIGN:
Randomized multicenter study compared the efficacy and safety of PEGASYS 180 mcg/wk plus ribavirin 800 mg/d, interferon alfa-2a (3 million IU 3 times a week) plus ribavirin, and PEGASYS monotherapy in patients infected with both HIV and HCV (N=868)
The publications referenced here have been selected by Genentech and do not represent
an exhaustive list of scientific and medical literature available about the use of Pegasys.
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Related Links
The following links related to hepatology, virology, and the treatment of hepatitis C are provided for your convenience. Links to these organizations are provided solely as a service to our Web site visitors. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by Genentech, and none should be inferred. Genentech is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links. These links will open in a new browser window.
- American College of Gastroenterology
http://www.acg.gi.org
The American College of Gastroenterology was founded in 1932 to advance the study and medical treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. The college is dedicated to meeting the needs of clinical gastroenterology practitioners. The Web site provides a wide variety of resources including practice guidelines, research grants, general facts about the field, and information for patients.
- American Liver Foundation
www.liverfoundation.org
The American Liver Foundation is a nonprofit health agency that focuses on the prevention and treatment of liver ailments and hepatitis. The Web site offers information for healthcare professionals and patients. Features include updates and clinical trial information, as well as a list of local chapters and support groups.
- Hepatitis Foundation International
www.hepfi.org
This organization seeks to promote worldwide awareness and education about hepatitis. The site includes research articles, a newsletter, and a support-group finder.
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/nddic.htm
The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC) is an information dissemination service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
- National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
http://www.nfid.org/info
The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging and sponsoring public and professional education about infectious diseases, supporting research and training, and aiding in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. Site features include a disease library and immunization fact sheets.
- National Institutes of Health
http://www.nih.gov
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) supports clinical research and education on a variety of health issues. The NIH Web site includes hepatitis C publications and management guidelines.
- Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases
http://www.pkids.org
Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases (PKIDs) and its Web site support families whose children have been affected by viral hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, or other infectious diseases and educates the public about effective disease-prevention practices. (Note: PEGASYS is not indicated for people under age 18.)
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—Hepatitis Branch
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/index.htm
This site provides information on hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E and a resource center with brochures and slides.
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