Interferon Alfa
Class: Antineoplastic Agents
- Biologic Response Modifiers
- Cytokines
VA Class: AM800
Chemical Name: Interferon α2b (human leukocyte clone Hif-SN206 protein moiety reduced)
Molecular Formula: C860H1353N229O255S9C860H1353N227O255S9
CAS Number: 99210-65-8
Brands: Intron A, Alferon N
Warning
May cause or aggravate fatal or life-threatening neuropsychiatric, autoimmune, ischemic, and infectious disorders. Monitor patients closely with periodic clinical and laboratory evaluations. Discontinue therapy in patients with persistently severe or worsening signs or symptoms of these conditions. In many, but not all cases, these disorders resolve after the drug is discontinued.
Introduction
Interferon alfa is a family of proteins and glycoproteins with antiviral, antineoplastic, and immunomodulating activities. Available in the US as interferon alfa-2b and interferon alfa-n3. Also available covalently bound to monomethoxy polyethylene glycol (PEG) (i.e., peginterferon alfa).
Uses for Interferon Alfa
Chronic HBV Infection
Interferon alfa-2b: Treatment of chronic HBV infection in adults, adolescents, and children ≥1 year of age with compensated liver disease.
Goal of antiviral therapy is sustained suppression of HBV replication and remission of liver disease; long-term goal is prevention of cirrhosis, hepatic failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Currently available therapies (e.g., interferon alfa, peginterferon alfa, adefovir, entecavir, lamivudine, telbivudine, tenofovir) do not eradicate HBV and may have only limited long-term efficacy. When making decisions regarding treatment, consider patient’s age, severity of liver disease, likelihood of response, safety and efficacy of the drug, potential for selection of resistant HBV strains, potential for adverse reactions, costs, patient’s pregnancy potential, and patient and provider preferences.
American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) states that drugs of choice for initial treatment of chronic HBV infection in patients with compensated liver disease are peginterferon alfa, entecavir, or tenofovir, unless contraindicated or ineffective. Efficacy of peginterferon alfa and nonconjugated interferon alfa are considered similar, but peginterferon alfa dosage schedule more convenient and generally preferred.
Treatment of chronic HBV infection is complex and rapidly evolving and should be directed by clinicians familiar with the disease; consult specialist to obtain the most up-to-date information.
Chronic HCV Infection
Interferon alfa-2b: Has been used for treatment of chronic HCV infection in adults with compensated liver disease; used alone or in conjunction with oral ribavirin.
Interferon alfa-2b: Has been used for treatment of chronic HCV infection in treatment-naive children ≥3 years of age with compensated liver disease; used in conjunction with oral ribavirin.
Peginterferon alfa (not interferon alfa) recommended if an interferon is used for treatment of chronic HCV infection. Interferon alfa alone or in conjunction with oral ribavirin associated with lower response rates than peginterferon alfa in conjunction with oral ribavirin.
Treatment of chronic HCV infection i.
