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Infergen (Interferon Alfacon-1) - Summary

 
 



INFERGEN SUMMARY

Interferon alfacon-1 is a recombinant non-naturally occurring type-I interferon. The 166-amino acid sequence of Interferon alfacon-1 was derived by scanning the sequences of several natural interferon alpha subtypes and assigning the most frequently observed amino acid in each corresponding position.1 Four additional amino acid changes were made to facilitate the molecular construction, and a corresponding synthetic DNA sequence was constructed using chemical synthesis methodology. Interferon alfacon-1 differs from interferon alfa-2b at 20/166 amino acids (88% homology), and comparison with interferon-beta shows identity at over 30% of the amino acid positions. Interferon alfacon-1 is produced in Escherichia coli (E. coli) cells that have been genetically altered by insertion of a synthetically constructed sequence that codes for Interferon alfacon-1. Prior to final purification, Interferon alfacon-1 is allowed to oxidize to its native state, and its final purity is achieved by sequential passage over a series of chromatography columns.

INFERGEN is indicated for the treatment of chronic HCV infection in patients 18 years of age or older with compensated liver disease who have anti-HCV serum antibodies and/or the presence of HCV RNA. Other causes of hepatitis, such as viral hepatitis B or autoimmune hepatitis, should be ruled out prior to initiation of therapy with INFERGEN. In some patients with chronic HCV infection, INFERGEN normalizes serum ALT, reduces serum HCV RNA concentrations to undetectable quantities (< 100 copies/mL), and improves liver histology.


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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Media Articles Related to Infergen (Interferon Alfacon-1)

Epclusa Approved for Chronic Hepatitis C
Source: MedicineNet ribavirin Specialty [2016.06.29]
Title: Epclusa Approved for Chronic Hepatitis C
Category: Health News
Created: 6/28/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 6/29/2016 12:00:00 AM

more news >>

Published Studies Related to Infergen (Interferon Alfacon-1)

U.S. multicenter pilot study of daily consensus interferon (CIFN) plus ribavirin for "difficult-to-treat" HCV genotype 1 patients. [2011.03]
BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 (HCV-1) and difficult-to-treat characteristics respond poorly to pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin (RBV), and could benefit from an interferon with increased activity (consensus interferon or CIFN), favorable viral kinetics from daily dosing, and a longer duration of therapy. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the efficacy and safety of daily CIFN + RBV for initial treatment of patients with HCV-1 infection... CONCLUSION: Daily CIFN and ribavirin for initial treatment of HCV-1 patients has potential for achieving a relatively high RVR rate, but discontinuations are frequent and successful use of this regimen is highly dependent on adequate patient support to maintain adherence.

Efficacy of consensus interferon in treatment of HbeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B: a multicentre, randomized controlled trial. [2009.07.09]
BACKGROUND: Consensus interferon (CIFN) is a newly developed type I interferon. AIMS: This multicentre, controlled trial was conducted to determine the efficacy of CIFN and to compare it with alpha-1b-interferon (IFN-alpha1b) in the treatment of patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B... CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that 9 microg CIFN is effective in the treatment of patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B. It can gradually induce ALT normalization and HBV DNA clearance and HBeAg loss or HBeAg/HBeAb seroconversion.

Retreating chronic hepatitis C with daily interferon alfacon-1/ribavirin after nonresponse to pegylated interferon/ribavirin: DIRECT results. [2009.06]
CONCLUSION: Retreatment of PEG-IFN and RBV nonresponders with CIFN and RBV is safe and efficacious and can be considered a retreatment strategy for patients failing previous therapy with PEG-IFN/RBV, especially in interferon-sensitive patients with lower baseline fibrosis scores.

Thyroid disorders and occurrence of nonorgan-specific autoantibodies (NOSA) in patients with chronic hepatitis C before and during antiviral induction therapy with consensus interferon (interferon alfacon-1). [2009.05]
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Thyroid disorders represent a common side effect of antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). However, there is strong evidence for a higher prevalence of thyroidal antibodies (TA) and nonorgan-specific autoantibodies (NOSA) even before interferon (IFN) administration. Here, we report for the first time on the distribution and occurrence of TA and NOSA before, during, and after treatment with daily highdosed IFN alfacon-1 [consensus IFN (CIFN)]... CONCLUSIONS: During CIFN induction therapy, alterations in TSH levels and an increased prevalence of TA and NOSA are quite common, especially in females. Clinically relevant symptoms occur, however, only in a small number (1.4%). Thus, treatment with daily and high-dose CIFN does not appear to increase the incidence of (severe) thyroidal or other autoimmune disorders compared with standard IFN in patients with CHC.

Antiviral response of HCV genotype 1 to consensus interferon and ribavirin versus pegylated interferon and ribavirin. [2007.06]
Achieving an antiviral response at a reasonable cost is a challenge in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C. A previous study indicated that consensus interferon with ribavirin had promising activity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1... It is possible that if consensus interferon is administered daily rather than three times weekly, eradication of HCV could be achieved in a larger proportion of patients infected with HCV genotype 1.

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Clinical Trials Related to Infergen (Interferon Alfacon-1)

Infergen and Ribavirin Treatment of Patients With HCV Who Achieved Partial Response to Peginterferon-alfa and Ribavirin [Terminated]
This is a 60-to-72 week multicenter study to evaluate Infergen and Ribavirin in patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus after partial response to treatment using peginterferon-alfa and Ribavirin therapy. The study will be conducted at approximately 50 sites across the United States.

Hepatitis C Treatment Naive Genotype 1 Consensus Interferon Trial [Completed]
Data have suggested that consensus interferon (CIFN) has greater antiviral activity in vitro compared with interferon alfa-2a or alfa-2b. Several clinical studies also suggest that CIFN has greater antiviral activity in patients with genotype 1 hepatitis C infection, particularly if given as a daily injection. These data indicate that the use of a regimen of daily CIFN and ribavirin will lead to greater virologic response rates compared with pegylated interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin in patients with genotype 1 infection, with comparable adverse events. Emerging data indicate that HCV genotype 1 patients with a delayed virologic response to initial therapy may benefit from an extended duration of therapy. Therefore, the goals of this pilot study are to determine the tolerability and efficacy of daily CIFN plus ribavirin when given for 52 weeks or an extended duration of therapy. The target population will consist of "difficult-to-treat" patients, defined as having the following characteristics: genotype 1, a North American patient population, predominantly male gender, and no specific exclusions for pre-existing psychiatric or substance abuse co-morbidities.

Observational Prospective Registry of the Efficacy, Safety, and Adherence to Therapy of Infergenďż˝ (Interferon Alfacon 1) in Patients Chronically Infected With Hepatitis C Virus [Terminated]
This observational prospective registry is designed to evaluate the safety, adherence, and efficacy of prescribed, patient-administered therapy with Infergen® (Interferon alfacon 1) and other prescribed therapies in patients chronically infected with HCV. The primary endpoint for efficacy will be the SVR rate at 24 weeks after therapy ends.

Daily-Dose Consensus Interferon and Ribavirin: Efficacy of Combined Therapy [Completed]
This Phase 3 clinical study is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of two dose levels of Infergen (interferon alfacon-1, CIFN) plus Ribavirin administered daily for 48 weeks and no treatment in patients chronically infected with hepatitis C who are nonresponders to previous pegylated interferon alfa plus ribavirin therapy. Patients are randomized 1: 1:1 to receive Interferon Alfacon-1 (9 or 15 µg) + Ribavirin (both administered daily) or no treatment for up to 48 weeks. The protocol and informed consent form that will be used must be approved by the Investigator’s Institutional Review Board (IRB)/Independent Ethics Committee (IEC) before the study is initiated.

Daily-Dose Consensus Interferon and Ribavirin: Efficacy of Combined Therapy [Completed]
This Phase 3 clinical study is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of two dose levels of Infergen (interferon alfacon-1, CIFN) plus Ribavirin administered daily for 48 weeks and no treatment in patients chronically infected with hepatitis C who are nonresponders to previous pegylated interferon alfa plus ribavirin therapy and participated during at least 24 weeks of no treatment in IRHC-001. At the time of randomization into IRHC-001, the no treatment arm patients will be concurrently randomized in a 1: 1 ration to receive Interferon Alfacon-1 (9 or 15 µg) + Ribavirin (both administered daily) or no treatment for up to 48 weeks. Patients will not be eligible for consideration to receive treatment in IRHC-002 until they have completed a minimum of 24 weeks of participation in IRHC-001. The protocol and informed consent form that will be used must be approved by the Investigator's Institutional Review Board (IRB)/Independent Ethics Committee (IEC) before the study is initiated.

more trials >>

Reports of Suspected Infergen (Interferon Alfacon-1) Side Effects

Treatment Failure (4)Pain (2)Neoplasm Progression (2)Multiple Myeloma (2)Refractory Cytopenia With Multilineage Dysplasia (2)Influenza Like Illness (2)Polyneuropathy (2)Stem Cell Transplant (2)Fatigue (2)Obesity (2)more >>


Page last updated: 2016-06-29

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