peginterferon alfa-2a + ribavirin + antiretroviral therapy

This therapeutic regimen, evaluated in the ANRS HC12 (Fibrostop) and ANRS HC23 clinical trials, consists of peginterferon alfa-2a, ribavirin, and background HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART). Sponsored by the French National Agency for Research on AIDS and Viral Hepatitis (ANRS), the combination was investigated for its ability to treat chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and mitigate liver fibrosis progression in patients co-infected with HIV-1 who had previously failed HCV therapy. Peginterferon alfa-2a is a long-acting interferon that stimulates the innate immune response by binding to type I interferon receptors (IFNAR1/2), activating the JAK-STAT pathway to induce antiviral genes. Ribavirin is a guanosine analog that acts as a broad-spectrum antiviral, likely through multiple mechanisms including inhibition of the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and depletion of intracellular guanosine triphosphate pools via IMPDH inhibition. The inclusion of ART ensures the management of HIV-1 viral load during the treatment of HCV-related liver disease.

Brand names

PegasysCopegus

Other names

Fibrostop regimenantiretroviral therapy-French National Agency for Research on AIDS and Viral Hepatitis-hepatitis C-liver fibrosisPeg-IFN + RBV + ART