Pharmacotherapy of chronic hepatitis C virus infection – the IDEAL trial: ‘2b or not 2b (= 2a), that is the question’

Abstract

Background: There has been no direct comparison of the antiviral efficacy and the adverse effects of peginterferon (PEG-IFN) alfa-2a and PEG-IFN alfa-2b when used in combination therapy with ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Objective: A head-to-head comparison of the antiviral efficacy and the adverse effects of PEG-IFN alfa-2a and PEG-IFN alfa-2b was made based on the results from the IDEAL trial, a large, multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled study performed in the United States to provide guidance for the selection of the right PEG-IFN in clinical settings. Methods: The results of the IDEAL trial were analyzed. Results/conclusion: The antiviral efficacy, as well as the adverse effects, of PEG-IFN alfa-2a and PEG-IFN alfa-2b are similar in US patients with HCV genotype 1 when used in a standard dosing regimen in combination with ribavirin.

Keywords::

• adverse effects
• antiviral efficacy
• IDEAL trial
• peginterferon alfa-2a
• peginterferon alfa-2b
• ribavirin