Recombinant human interferon alfa-2b(Harbin Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd.)

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a public health emergency of major international concern. Real-time RT-PCR assays are recommended for diagnosis of COVID-19. Here we report a rare case of COVID-19 with multiple negative results for PCR assays outside Wuhan, China.

A 32-year old male was admitted to our hospital because of 6 days of unexplained fever on January 29, 2020. He had come from Wuhan city 10 days before admission. Five days before admission, no abnormality was noted in laboratory test, chest radiography, and nasopharyngeal swab test for the SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid. The patient was treated with ibuprofen for alleviating fever. On admission, chest computed tomography showed multiple ground-glass opacities in right lower lung field. COVID-19 was suspected. Three times of nasopharyngeal swab specimens were collected after admission. However, none of the specimens were positive. The patient was confirmed with COVID-19 after fifth SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test. He was treated with lopinavir/ritonavir, recombinant human interferon alfa-2b inhalation, methylprednisolone. After 18 days of treatment, he was discharged with improved symptoms, lung lesions and negative results of nasopharyngeal swab.

This case reminds clinician that a patient with high clinical suspicion of COVID-19 but multiple negative RT-PCR result should not be taken out of isolation. A combination of patient’s exposure history, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, and typical imaging findings plays a vital role in making preliminary diagnosis and guide early isolation and treatment. Repeat swab tests are helpful in diagnosis for this kind of patients.

New treatment options for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) that offer improved efficacy, tolerability, and convenience compared with weekly interferon alfa (IFNalpha)-based regimens are needed. Longer-acting IFNalpha formulations with reduced dosing requirements and improved tolerability have been a focus of drug development efforts. The objective of this report is to review the characteristics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and clinical and virologic outcomes reported in studies of albinterferon alfa-2b (alb-IFN), a novel fusion protein of human albumin and human IFNalpha-2b.

This review was based on all published data regarding alb-IFN to date. An unlimited PubMed database search was conducted using the keywords 'albuferon,' 'albinterferon,' and 'albumin AND interferon.'

Albinterferon alfa-2b has been developed for the treatment of CHC. This agent exhibits a prolonged half-life and duration of antiviral activity that indicate potential suitability for dosing intervals of 2-4 weeks. Phase 2 trials in prior IFN nonresponders and IFN-naïve patients with genotype 1 or 2/3 CHC have shown antiviral activity and acceptable safety/tolerability of alb-IFN 900-1500 microg every 2 weeks and 1200-1500 microg every 4 weeks. Based on the phase 2 data, alb-IFN 900 microg and 1200 microg every 2 weeks were selected for two ongoing phase 3 trials in IFN-naïve patients with genotype 1 and 2/3 CHC.

Albinterferon alfa-2b exhibits high antiviral activity, and appears to offer safety/tolerability comparable to the current standard of care, and health-related quality-of-life benefits in patients with CHC. Its ability to maintain drug concentrations above the 90% effective concentration over prolonged dosing intervals suggests that it may be an ideal partner for combination therapy with direct antiviral agents in CHC. The results of the phase 3 trials are eagerly anticipated as they should greatly clarify the future role of alb-IFN in the treatment of CHC.