infliximab + pegylated interferon alfa-2b + ribavirin

This is a combination regimen consisting of three drugs: infliximab, pegylated interferon alfa-2b, and ribavirin. Infliximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that targets and neutralizes tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), thereby reducing inflammation in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and plaque psoriasis[7]. Pegylated interferon alfa-2b is a recombinant form of human interferon conjugated with polyethylene glycol to extend its half-life; it binds to type 1 interferon receptors on cells and activates the JAK/STAT pathway to induce antiviral proteins and modulate immune responses[2][5][6]. Ribavirin is a nucleoside analog with broad-spectrum antiviral activity; it inhibits inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), leading to depletion of guanosine triphosphate pools required for viral RNA synthesis[6]. The combination of pegylated interferon alfa–2b plus ribavirin has been used as standard therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus infection before the advent of direct acting antivirals[1][8], while the addition of infliximab has been studied experimentally but did not show significant additional benefit in HCV genotype 1 treatment-naive patients[3].

Brand names

Flixabi

Other names

peginterferon alfa-2b