peginterferon alfa-2b

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ONC-006450",
  "term": "peginterferon alfa-2b",
  "field": "Oncology and biomedicine",
  "definitions": [
    "A drug that is no longer available in the United States that was used under the brand name Sylatron to prevent melanoma from coming back after it has been removed by surgery and under the brand name PEG-Intron to treat chronic hepatitis C. Peginterferon alfa-2b is a form of interferon alfa (a substance normally made by cells in the immune system) that is made in the laboratory and linked to a substance called PEG, which makes the drug stay in the body longer. It is a type of cytokine and a type of immunomodulating agent.",
    "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."
  ],
  "abbreviation": "PEG-IFN-a 2b",
  "synonyms": [
    "pegylated interferon alpha-2b",
    "PEG-IFN alfa-2b",
    "polyethylene glycol IFN-A2b",
    "polyethylene glycol interferon alfa-2b",
    "PegIntron"
  ],
  "references": [
    "NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms",
    "National Cancer Institute Thesaurus"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/oncology/peginterferon-alfa-2b/"
}