Adverse skin reactions due to pegylated interferon alpha 2b plus ribavirin combination therapy in a patient with chronic hepatitis C virus

Subcutaneous panniculitic-like T-cell lymphoma localized to a site of peginterferon alfa-2a administration

T cell dyscrasias that demonstrate a proclivity for the subcutaneous fat include atypical lymphocytic lobular panniculitis, lupus profundus, and primary subcutaneous T cell lymphoma, including subcutaneous panniculitis-like T cell lymphoma (SPTCL). We encountered two patients who developed fever and indurated abdominal erythema at their peginterferon alfa-2a injection sites. Biopsies showed an atypical CD8 positive, granzyme positive, CD5 negative, MXA negative lymphocytic lobular panniculitis, diagnostic of SPTCL. Peginterferon alfa-2a was held in both patients. One patient received chemotherapy with an excellent response, while the other continued to have progressive disease. Peginterferon alfa-2a is known to significantly elevate serum MXA, which may induce high levels of MXA expression at the injection site, creating a microenvironment for the development of lupus profundus, which may eventuate into SPTCL. In summation, a potential risk of peginterferon alfa-2a injections is the development of SPTCL potentially arising in a background of an exogenous interferon triggered lymphocytic panniculitis.

Is PEGylation of Drugs Associated with Hypersensitivity Reactions? An Analysis of the Italian National Spontaneous Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting System

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Evidence highlights the allergenic potential of PEGylated drugs because of the production of anti-polyethylene glycol immunoglobulins. We investigated the risk of hypersensitivity reactions of PEGylated drugs using the Italian spontaneous adverse drug reaction reporting system database.

METHODS

We selected adverse drug reaction reports attributed to medicinal products containing PEGylated active substances and/or PEGylated liposomes from the Italian Spontaneous Reporting System in the period between its inception and March 2021. As comparators, we extracted adverse drug reaction reports of medicinal products containing the same non-PEGylated active substances and/or non-PEGylated liposomes (or compounds belonging to the same mechanistic class). A descriptive analysis of reports of hypersensitivity reactions was performed. Reporting rates and time to onset of hypersensitivity reactions were also calculated in the period between January 2009 and March 2021. As a measure of disproportionality, we calculated the reporting odds ratio.

RESULTS

Overall, 3865 adverse drug reaction reports were related to PEGylated medicinal products and 11,961 to their non-PEGylated comparators. Around two-thirds of patients were female and reports mostly concerned patients aged between 46 and 64 years. The frequency of hypersensitivity reactions reporting was higher among PEGylated versus non-PEGylated medicinal products (11.7% vs 9.4%, p < 0.0001). The hypersensitivity reaction reporting rates were higher for PEGylated medicinal products versus non-PEGylated medicinal products, with reporting rate ratios that ranged from 1.4 (95% confidence interval 0.8-2.5) for pegfilgrastim versus filgrastim to 20.0 (95% confidence interval 2.8-143.5) for peginterferon alpha-2a versus interferon alpha-2a. The median time to onset of hypersensitivity reactions was 10 days (interquartile range: 0-61) for PEGylated medicinal products, and 36 days (interquartile range: 3-216) for non-PEGylated comparators. Statistically significant reporting odds ratios were observed when comparing the reporting of hypersensitivity reactions for PEGylated versus non-PEGylated medicinal products (reporting odds ratio: 1.3; 95% confidence interval 1.1-1.4). However, when using all other drugs as comparators, the disproportionality analysis showed no association with hypersensitivity reactions for PEGylated nor non-PEGylated medicinal products, thus suggesting that many other triggers of drug-induced hypersensitivity reactions play a major role.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this analysis of the Italian spontaneous adverse drug reaction database suggest a potential involvement for PEGylation in triggering drug-related hypersensitivity reactions, especially clinically relevant reactions. However, when comparing both PEGylated and non-PEGylated drugs under study to all other drugs no disproportionate reporting of hypersensitivity reactions was observed, probably due to a masking effect owing to the presence in the same database of other medicinal products increasing the threshold required to highlight a safety signal when the entire database is used as a reference.

Host-Directed Antiviral Therapy

Antiviral drugs have traditionally been developed by directly targeting essential viral components. However, this strategy often fails due to the rapid generation of drug-resistant viruses. Recent genome-wide approaches, such as those employing small interfering RNA (siRNA) or clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) or those using small molecule chemical inhibitors targeting the cellular "kinome," have been used successfully to identify cellular factors that can support virus replication. Since some of these cellular factors are critical for virus replication, but are dispensable for the host, they can serve as novel targets for antiviral drug development. In addition, potentiation of immune responses, regulation of cytokine storms, and modulation of epigenetic changes upon virus infections are also feasible approaches to control infections. Because it is less likely that viruses will mutate to replace missing cellular functions, the chance of generating drug-resistant mutants with host-targeted inhibitor approaches is minimized. However, drug resistance against some host-directed agents can, in fact, occur under certain circumstances, such as long-term selection pressure of a host-directed antiviral agent that can allow the virus the opportunity to adapt to use an alternate host factor or to alter its affinity toward the target that confers resistance. This review describes novel approaches for antiviral drug development with a focus on host-directed therapies and the potential mechanisms that may account for the acquisition of antiviral drug resistance against host-directed agents.

Allergic sensitization to pegylated interferon-α results in drug eruptions

BACKGROUND

The introduction of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN)-α in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C has led to an increase in sustained virological response. Despite reduced immunogenicity of the pegylated form in comparison with native interferon (IFN)-α, a high frequency of adverse cutaneous reactions has been reported with pegylated IFN-α. Here, we aimed to investigate the immunological mechanisms underlying pegylated IFN-α-induced drug eruptions.

METHODS

Hepatitis C patients suffering from drug eruptions in association with administration of pegylated interferons were enrolled in the study (n = 22). Subjects were tested for sensitivity to pegylated IFN-α2a , pegylated IFN-α2b , or ribavirin using intradermal, scratch, and/or patch tests, as well as lymphocyte activation tests (LATs). Skin biopsies obtained from pegylated IFN-α-associated exanthemas, as well as from localized inflammatory skin reactions at pegylated IFN-α injection sites, were analyzed for the expression of relevant chemokines by quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

A subset of patients suffering from pegylated IFN-α-associated exanthemas displayed positive intradermal tests to PEG-IFNs but not to conventional IFN (11/22). In selected patients, this observation correlated with the presence of pegylated IFN-specific T cells (3/11). Chemokine profiles of inflammatory skin reactions at the injection sites reflected an IFN-α-signature, whereas lesional skin of exanthemas showed induction of TH2-associated chemokines.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that specific sensitizations are one cause of exanthemas under therapy with PEG-IFNs. Clinical proof-of-concept analyses demonstrate that affected patients may benefit from a switch to conventional, nonpegylated drugs, enabling IFN-α therapy continuation without drug-associated skin eruptions.

Dermatologic adverse events of protease inhibitor-based combination therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C

BACKGROUND

Combination therapy with pegylated interferon, ribavirin and a first-generation NS3/4A protease inhibitor, telaprevir or boceprevir, is the new strategy for treatment of genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C virus infection. This combination improves therapeutic efficacy but it also increases the risk of adverse events.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to analyze frequency and severity of dermatological adverse events during protease inhibitor-based therapy and to evaluate the risk factors for their development.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective study of 109 patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C treated with boceprevir (n=33) or telaprevir (n=76) based triple therapy. A logistic regression for relationship between clinical, demographic and laboratory factors and cutaneous adverse events was performed.

RESULTS

Dermatological adverse events (skin rash, pruritus, anorectal paresthesia) occurred in both treatments (boceprevir and telaprevir) with similar frequency: 28% in telaprevir and 21% in boceprevir. In patients treated with telaprevir, men were more predisposed to develop skin rashes compared to women (OR 4,1 p=0,014) and age above 45 years was associated with occurrence of pruritus in men (OR 8,16 p=0,014). Being a female, coexistence of autoimmune thyroiditis and advanced liver fibrosis were independent factors predisposing to development of anorectal paresthesia (OR 4,13 p=0,041, OR 4,25 p=0,029, OR 4,54 p=0,018 respectively) in this group. In patients treated with boceprevir, coexistence of autoimmune thyroiditis predisposed to skin rashes (OR 10,22 p=0,017) and being a female predisposed to pruritus (OR11,2 p=0,033). The adverse events occurred after a mean time of 8,6 (range 1-24) weeks after initiation of therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with chronic hepatitis C who received the triple therapy, the anorectal paresthesias were observed only in patients treated with telaprevir. The predisposing factors for this adverse event were: female gender and advanced liver fibrosis. The risk factors for other dermatological adverse were: 1) being a male over 45 years, for skin rashes and pruritus (for telaprevir), 2) coexistence of autoimmune thyroiditis for skin rashes (for boceprevir), 3) being a female, for pruritus (for boceprevir).

Study of pruritus in chronic hepatitis C patients

AIM: To investigate the occurrence and severity of pruritus in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with or without interferon (IFN) therapy.

METHODS: A total of 89 patients with chronic hepatitis C and 55 control (non-hepatitis) patients were asked to rate their experience of diurnal and nocturnal pruritus in the preceding week using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and a five-point scale, respectively. Blood samples were taken and serum thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS: A significantly greater proportion of chronic hepatitis C patients experienced nocturnal pruritus compared with control (58.4% vs 5.5%, P < 0.0001). Chronic hepatitis C patients also had more severe pruritus compared with control patients, indicated by the higher mean VAS scores in both the IFN-treated and non-IFN-treated groups. In particular, patients who received combined peginterferon alfa-2b and ribavirin had significantly higher mean VAS scores than those receiving peginterferon alfa-2a or no IFN treatment. Serum TARC levels did not correlate with pruritus scores, and no significant differences in TARC levels were observed between the IFN-treated and non-IFN-treated groups.

CONCLUSION: Patients with chronic hepatitis C experience pruritus more than those without. Serum TARC levels do not correlate with pruritus severity in chronic hepatitis C patients.

Skin Adverse Events During Dual and Triple Therapy for HCV-Related Cirrhosis

INTRODUCTION

Dermatological adverse events are an existing concern during treatment of hepatitis C virus infection. Peginterferon/ribavirin treatment is associated with well-characterized dermatological lesions tending towards a uniform entity of dermatitis. New telaprevir- or boceprevir-based triple-therapy has led to significant improvements in sustained virological response rates, although associated with an increase in cutaneous adverse events compared peginterferon/ribavirin alone.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a case of a patient who discontinued telaprevir because of severe skin eruptions and who, during ribavirin and interferon treatment, after a period free of skin lesions, developed new dermatological lesions different than those experienced during telaprevir treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Several adverse effects are associated to anti-HCV drugs, hence appropriate skin care management and follow-up are very important. A careful anamnesis before the initiation of triple therapy is necessary to identify previous dermatological diseases that could increase skin adverse effects incidence.

Erythema Annulare Centrifugum due to Pegylated Interferon-α-2a plus Ribavirin Combination Therapy in a Patient with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Background:

Pegylated interferon-α combined with ribavirin is the current standard treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus infection. During interferon and ribavirin therapy, both local and generalized mucocutaneous adverse reactions have been reported. Erythema annulare centrifugum induced by this therapy regimen has not been reported previously.

Case Report:

A 29-year-old woman was referred to our clinic for a 1-week history of slightly pruritic annular erythematous eruptions on the lower extremities and hands. The eruptions had first occured on the hands 3 to 4 days after pegylated interferon-α-2a plus ribavirin combination therapy for hepatitis C virus infection. Histopathologic examination supported the diagnosis of erythema annulare centrifugum. The lesions completely regressed within 2 weeks after the cessation of treatment but recurred on similar localizations within 24 hours with the same therapy. It was thought that erythema annulare centrifugum was induced by pegylated interferon-α-2a plus ribavirin combination therapy.

Conclusion:

Erythema annulare centrifugum is considered an inflammatory skin disease with unknown etiology. It is thought to represent a hypersensitivity reaction to some triggering factors, including infections, immunologic disorders, malign neoplasms, foods, pregnancy, and drugs. We report the first case of erythema annulare centrifigum induced by pegylated interferon-α-2a plus ribavirin combination therapy.

Adverse Skin Reactions due to Ribavirin in Hepatitis C Combination Therapy with Pegylated Interferon-α2a

The introduction of ribavirin to hepatitis C combination therapy with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN)-α_2a has improved sustained responses, but it has been accompanied by an increased incidence of cutaneous side effects. Most cases of drug eruption caused by ribavirin and PEG-IFN-α₂ or IFN-α combination therapy were not severe and we progressed without discontinuation of the antiviral treatment. We describe a 59-year-old Japanese woman with a chronic hepatitis C infection who developed erythema during PEG-IFN-α_2a and ribavirin combination therapy. The eruption at the injection site of IFN occurred after each injection, and then, eruption on her exposed skin was observed. Twenty milligrams of prednisolone was administered. The eruption recurred after each administration of prednisolone and ribavirin. She finally had infiltrative erythema without any mucosal symptoms on her body. It seemed to be an erythema multiforme type drug eruption of PEG-IFN-α_2a, ribavirin and/or fluvastatin sodium from the clinical course. The lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) of ribavirin was positive. This is the first case of a positive result of an LTT for ribavirin. A photosensitive type drug eruption with ribavirin treatment has been reported. We should not only consider IFN, but also ribavirin in case of a generalized eruption, especially on an exposed area with combination therapy for HCV.

Side-effects of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy with or without protease inhibitor direct acting antiviral agents during treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects 2–3% of the population, approximately 170 million people worldwide, causing chronic HCV-related hepatitis with subsequent liver cirrhosis, hepatic failure, hepatocellular cancer, and liver-related mortality in a large number of patients. The gold standard therapy, pegylated interferon alpha in combination with ribavirin can eradicate hepatitis C virus infection in approx. 40% of treatment-naïve patients infected with HCV genotype G1, and only 15–20% of patients with previous treatment. Success rate is substantially improved with the development and registration of two direct acting anti-hepatitis C virus protease inhibitors (boceprevir and telaprevir) in the second decade of 21st century: combined with the standard therapy, almost three quarter of previously untreated, and more than half of previously unsuccessfully treated patients can achieve sustained viral response with protease inhibitor based triple therapies. A major barrier to successful treatment is the association of peginterferon/ribavirin therapy with frequent and sometimes serious adverse effects. In clinical trials, approximately 10–15% of treated patients discontinue peginterferon and ribavirin due to adverse events; however, in routine clinical practice, the rate of treatment discontinuation has been reported to be substantially higher. The side effects of peginterferon/ribavirin therapy affect virtually all organ systems, and addition of protease inhibitor can amplify these side effects (particularly anemia), and/or may lead to new ones (i.e., dysgeusia with boceprevir or skin rush with telaprevir). There is considerable regional and global variability in the nature and prevalence of these adverse effects as well as in the best strategies to ameliorate their impact on hepatitis C virus treatment. This article summarizes the side effects of dual and triple therapies and their management based on the labels of the drugs, on a comprehensive literature review, as well as on the recently published opinion of an international panel of experts – with the provision of providing help for the physicians treating hepatitis C virus infection to achieve the best possible success with the highest possible safety for the patients. Orv. Hetil., 2011, 152, 1997–2009.

Management of adverse effects of Peg-IFN and ribavirin therapy for hepatitis C

HCV infects approximately 2-3% of the global population and is a leading cause of end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Treatment of HCV infection with Peg-IFN in combination with ribavirin can eradicate HCV infection in 40-90% of patients; however, a major barrier to treatment uptake and delivery is the association of this therapy with frequent and, at times, serious adverse effects. Recognition and effective management of these adverse effects are critical components of the successful treatment of chronic HCV infection. In clinical trials, approximately 10-15% of patients discontinue Peg-IFN and ribavirin therapy due to adverse effects; however, in clinical practice, the rate of treatment discontinuation has been reported to be substantially higher. The off-target effect of Peg-IFN and ribavirin impacts most, if not all, organ systems; the most common adverse effects are hematologic, dermatologic, neurologic, immunologic, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, cardiovascular, and ocular. Regional and global variability exists in the nature of these adverse effects and the strategies employed to ameliorate their impact. This article provides a comprehensive literature review that systematically describes the adverse effects of Peg-IFN-α and ribavirin on various organ systems and, more importantly, recommends consensus approaches to managing those effects.

Subcutaneous Sarcoidosis during Pegylated Interferon Alfa and Ribavirin Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis C

Interferon is used to treat hepatitis C virus infection and its cutaneous side effects are well known. Recently, interferon-induced sarcoidosis has been reported. We report a new case of sarcoidosis during pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin treatment with an unusual presentation in a woman with previous episodes of erythema nodusum and nodular vasculitis related to HCV.

Safety of peginterferon in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C

BACKGROUND

Combination of 'pegylated' interferons (IFNs) plus ribavirin, the standard treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC), is frequently associated with side effects. Anticipation, recognition and proper management of these side effects are important to ensure compliance with therapy and achievement of sustained virologic response.

OBJECTIVE

To illustrate the side effect profile of pegIFN-alpha in the treatment of CHC.

METHODS

Studies and abstracts were identified through a computerized, English language literature search. Key search terms included peginterferon and CHC. Information available only in abstract form was retrieved from national and international hepatology associations.

RESULTS

Most adverse events occurring with combination therapy can be anticipated and managed appropriately; therefore, premature discontinuation of therapy owing to side effects is not required in most patients.