peginterferon + ribavirin

A combination therapy comprising a pegylated interferon (either peginterferon alfa-2a or peginterferon alfa-2b) and the nucleoside analog ribavirin. This regimen was the standard of care for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection for over a decade prior to the introduction of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Peginterferon is a cytokine that binds to the Type I interferon receptor (IFNAR1/2), activating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway to induce an antiviral state in host cells and modulate the immune response. Ribavirin is a synthetic guanosine analog that exerts antiviral effects through multiple mechanisms, including inhibition of the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (NS5B), inhibition of host inosine-5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), and induction of lethal mutagenesis in the viral genome. The specific context of the Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova refers to a Phase 4 observational study evaluating the real-world efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of these regimens in treatment-naive patients.

Brand names

PegasysPegIntronCopegusRebetol

Other names

Peg-IFN + RBVpeginterferon alfa-2a + ribavirinpeginterferon alfa-2b + ribavirin