Peginterferon-alpha-2a (40kD) plus ribavirin: a review of its use in hepatitis C Virus And HIV co-infection

Pegylated interferon plus ribavirin is the standard first-line treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) mono-infection. Although the optimal anti-HCV regimen is not established in the more difficult-to-treat population with HIV-HCV co-infection, much of the data in this clinical setting have been derived from studies evaluating peginterferon-alpha-2a (40kD) [Pegasys] plus ribavirin (Copegus), most notably the APRICOT (AIDS Pegasys Ribavirin International Co-Infection Trial) and the ACTG (AIDS Clinical Trial Group) A5071 study. In particular, results of APRICOT - the largest study conducted to date with a pegylated interferon plus ribavirin in patients with HIV-HCV co-infection - indicate that a substantial proportion of patients will achieve sustained virological response (SVR) at week 72 when these drugs are administered for 48 weeks in an appropriate dosage regimen. In general, the tolerability profile of peginterferon-alpha-2a plus ribavirin in APRICOT was similar to that previously reported in patients with HCV mono-infection.