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NCI Drug Dictionary


PEG-interferon alfa-2b 
A covalent conjugate of recombinant interferon alpha, subtype 2b, and polyethylene glycol (PEG), used as an antiviral and antineoplastic agent. The biological activity of this agent is derived from its interferon alpha-2b protein moiety. Interferons alfa bind to specific cell-surface receptors, leading to the transcription and translation of genes whose protein products mediate antiviral, antiproliferative, anticancer, and immune-modulating effects. The PEG moiety lowers the clearance of interferon alpha-2b, thereby extending the duration of its therapeutic effects, but may also reduce the interferon-mediated stimulation of an immune response. Check for active clinical trials or closed clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)
Synonyms:PEG-IFN alfa-2b
pegylated interferon alfa-2b
polyethylene glycol IFN-A2b
polyethylene glycol interferon alfa-2b
SCH 54031
US brand names:PEG-Intron
Sylatron
Abbreviation:PEG-IFN-a 2b