Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.
Peginterferon alfa-2b is interferon alfa-2b attached to polyethylene glycol (PEG) so it lasts a week. It boosts the body's antiviral and immune defences. It was used with ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C, and is used for some cases of hepatitis B and, as Sylatron, after surgery for melanoma. It was sold as PegIntron.
Whether peginterferon and ribavirin cleared hepatitis C depended strongly on the IFNL3 (IL28B) region: people with the CC genotype at rs12979860 (more common in people of East Asian and European ancestry) responded far better than those with TT. CPIC published a guideline on IFNL3 for this treatment. Interferon-free hepatitis C medicines have since replaced it, and with them the gene matters much less.
Every published finding on gene variants and PegIntron. 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.
IFNL3;IFNL4 rs12979860: Level 1A · replicated. Efficacy: Hepatitis C virus infection. 69.
IFNL3;IFNL4 rs12979860: Level 1A · replicated. Efficacy: Chronic hepatitis C virus infection. 9.
IFNL3;IFNL4 rs12979860: Level 1A · replicated. Efficacy: Chronic hepatitis C virus infection. 5.
IFNL3 rs8099917: Level 1B · replicated. Efficacy: Chronic hepatitis C virus infection. 45.
Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.
Studies of how much of the drug people needed or tolerated.
Studies that do not fall into the groups above.
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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