celgosivir + peginterferon alfa-2b

Celgosivir + peginterferon alfa-2b is an investigational combination of an oral alpha-glucosidase I inhibitor (celgosivir) and a pegylated interferon used for its antiviral effects (peginterferon alfa-2b). Celgosivir inhibits alpha-glucosidase I, an enzyme required for proper folding of viral glycoproteins, thereby blocking a key host factor necessary for hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication. Peginterferon alfa-2b is a recombinant form of interferon that binds to type I interferon receptors, activating the JAK/STAT pathway to induce innate antiviral responses. The combination has been studied for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, especially in patients who have not responded to previous therapies.