Pegylated interferon alfa-2b

Pegylated interferon alfa-2b is a long-acting formulation of recombinant interferon alfa-2b, created by attaching a polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety to the protein to increase its half-life and reduce clearance. It belongs to the cytokine class of immunotherapies. In a clinical program led by Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital, it is being evaluated as a combination therapy with anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The mechanism involves binding to the type I interferon receptors (IFNAR1 and IFNAR2), which triggers the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. This leads to the induction of genes with antiviral, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory properties, including the upregulation of MHC class I molecules and the activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells, potentially synergizing with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade to overcome immune resistance in the tumor microenvironment.

Brand names

PEG-IntronSylatron

Other names

Peginterferon alfa-2bPegylated interferon alpha-2b