Ropeginterferon alfa-2 b for the therapy of polycythemia vera

Czech version

Authors: Libor Červinek
Authors‘ workplace: Interní hematologická a onkologická klinika LF MU a FN Brno
Published in: Vnitř Lék 2020; 66(5): 309-313
Category:

Overview

Interferon alfa (IFN‑α) has been used in the treatment of myeloproliferative disorders for more than 30 years. IFN‑α has been shown to induce clinical, hematological, molecular, and histopathological remission, but its toxicity has remained a limitation of its more widespread use. The development of pegylated forms with a better tolerance has brought new options for patients. Phase III clinical trials, ropeginterferon‑α versus hydroxyurea: PROUD-PV and CONTINUATION-PV, have shown long-term superiority in the efficacy and safety when comparing ropeginterferon alfa-2 b with hydroxyurea. Therapeutic use of interferons is a necessary part of the treatment regimen in younger at-risk patients in the first line, but until now, no SPC of a non-pegylated or pegylated interferon included treatment of patients with polycythemia vera. Ropeginterferon alfa-2 b (Besremi®) is the first and only one to have obtained registration and is available in the European Union as well as the Czech Republic for the treatment of patients with polycythemia vera without symptomatic splenomegaly.

Keywords:

ropeginterferon alfa-2 b – myeloproliferative neoplasms – PROUD-PV – CONTINUATION-PV

Sources

1. Barbui T, Tefferi A, Vannuchi AM, et al. Philadelphia chromoseme‑negative classical myeloproliferative neoplasm: revised management recommendations from European Leu‑kemia Net Leukemia 2018 May; 32(5): 1057–1069.

2. Hatalova A, Schwarz J, Gotic M, et al. Recommendations for the diagnosis and tre‑atment of patients with polycythaemia vera Eur J Haematol 2018; 101(5): 654–664.

3. Kissova J. Interferon‑alfa v léčbě myeloproliferativních onemocnění Vnitř. Lék 2019; 65 (11): 699–704.

4. Gisslinger H, Klade C, Georgiev P, Mayer J, et al. Ropeginterferon alfa-2 b versus stan‑dard therapy for poly cythaemia vera (PROUD‑PV and CONTINUATION‑PV): a randomised, non inferiority, phase 3 trial and its extension study. Lancet Haematol 2020 Mar; 7(3): e196–e208.