peginterferon alfa + nucleoside analogues

peginterferon alfa + nucleoside analogues is a combination therapeutic regimen being evaluated for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This specific protocol is the focus of the I-Cure-2 clinical trial led by the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University. The regimen involves switching HBeAg-negative CHB patients who have achieved viral suppression on long-term nucleoside analogue (NA) therapy to peginterferon alfa (either alfa-2a or alfa-2b) or adding peginterferon alfa to their existing NA treatment. Peginterferon alfa acts as an immunomodulator and antiviral agent by binding to the interferon alpha/beta receptors (IFNAR1 and IFNAR2), stimulating an immune response and inhibiting viral replication. Nucleoside analogues (such as entecavir or tenofovir) act as direct-acting antivirals by inhibiting the HBV DNA polymerase, thereby suppressing viral DNA synthesis. The primary clinical objective of this sequential or switch strategy is to achieve HBsAg seroclearance, often referred to as a functional cure, which is rarely attained with nucleoside analogue monotherapy alone.

Other names

PegIFN + NA sequential therapyPegIFN switch therapypeginterferon alfa-2apeginterferon alfa-2bNucleoside analogues