Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.
Interferon alfa-2b is a recombinant version of a natural immune signalling protein with antiviral, antiproliferative and immune-boosting effects. It was used for hepatitis B and C, melanoma after surgery, some leukaemias and lymphomas, Kaposi's sarcoma and genital warts; long-acting pegylated forms have largely replaced it. It was sold as Intron A.
As a protein, interferon alfa is not handled by drug-processing enzymes. The gene studies listed looked at ITPA, linked to anaemia during combined treatment with ribavirin, and at FTO for response in hepatitis C. The much stronger IFNL3 (IL28B) findings are on the pages for the pegylated interferons. There is no CPIC or DPWG guideline for interferon alfa-2b itself.
Every published finding on gene variants and Interferon alfa-2b. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.
PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.
ITPA rs1127354: Level 3. Dosage: Chronic hepatitis C virus infection. 2.
FTO rs9939609: Level 3. Efficacy: Chronic hepatitis C virus infection, HIV infectious disease. 1.
Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.
More drugs from the same category
Interferon alfa-2a (Interferons)
Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.
Content updated September 2026.
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