Perspective abstract
Nature Biotechnology 25, 1411 - 1419 (2007)
Published online: 7 December 2007 | doi:10.1038/nbt1364
Albinterferon 
-2b: a genetic fusion protein for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C
G Mani Subramanian1, Michele Fiscella1, Araba Lamousé-Smith1, Stefan Zeuzem2 & John G McHutchison3
Abstract
Treatment regimens based on the use of interferon-
(IFN-) remain the cornerstone of therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus infection, which affects nearly 170 million people worldwide. Treatment options include unmodified IFN- given three times weekly or pegylated IFNs given once weekly. The albumin-fusion platform takes advantage of the long half-life of human albumin to provide a new treatment approach that allows the dosing frequency of IFN- to be reduced in individuals with chronic hepatitis C. Albinterferon -2b (alb-IFN), a recombinant polypeptide composed of IFN-2b genetically fused to human albumin, has an extended half-life and early evidence indicates that it is efficacious and well tolerated. Pharmacodynamic modeling supports treatment with alb-IFN at 2- or 4-week intervals. Phase 3 registration trials are in progress. The albumin-fusion platform is currently being applied to other important bioactive peptides with short half-lives. These fusion proteins, which are at present in different phases of clinical development, might lead to improved therapies across a broad range of diseases.
- Human Genome Sciences, Inc., 14200 Shady Grove Road, Rockville, Maryland 21042, USA.
- J.W. Goethe University Hospital, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, PO Box 17969, Durham, North Carolina 27715, USA.
Correspondence to: G Mani Subramanian1 e-mail: Mani_Subramanian@hgsi.com
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